Proper spinal alignment is critical for overall health and wellness as it allows the nervous system, which controls all of our body functions, to operate without interference.
Could you start by explaining what it means to have your spine aligned?
Dr. Ben Rauch: Absolutely. When we put a spine into alignment, generally it is because it is out of alignment. We look at the spine from the front and everything should be straight up and down. The collarbone should be level, the hips should be level, and then the spine should be going straight up and down between those collarbones and hips. Looking at the spine from the side, there should be normal curves, one curve in the neck going towards the front of the spine, a curve in the mid back, going towards the back of the spine and then a curve in the low back going towards the front of the spine again. When we align the spine, we’re making gentle adjustments to that spine so that it is back into that normal alignment.
What is the best way for someone to check if their spine is aligned?
Dr. Ben Rauch: The best way for someone to check if their spine is aligned is to see a trained professional, such as a chiropractor. What they’ll do is they’ll do a few tests to check for that alignment.
If you want to maybe see if you need to go see a chiropractor, one thing that you can do is have a friend or family member just check your posture. And again, what they’ll be looking for is they’re looking at their shoulders to see if they’re the same level, the hips, if they’re the same level and then looking at the ears if they’re the same level. If they’re not, then you might need to go get your spine checked for that alignment.
And does your spinal alignment affect your body development and your overall body movement?
Dr. Ben Rauch: When we have those subluxations, or those misalignments, in the spine, we have improper spinal biomechanics. This leads to decreased motion in the spine. When we have that decreased motion, it eventually leads to degeneration in the spine. When left alone, these problems don’t actually get better. These misalignments, they don’t get better. They actually get worse.
How does your spinal alignment affect your immune system and overall wellness?
Dr. Ben Rauch: Subluxations, or misalignments of the spine, cause interference in the nervous system. Our nervous system controls and coordinates everything in our bodies, including our immune system. A study done at New York’s Preventive Medicine Institute actually found that chiropractic care has been proven to increase immune system function by 200% compared to those who do not receive chiropractic care, and by 400% compared to those suffering from cancer or other life-threatening diseases.
What are some other important reasons people should get their spinal alignment corrected?
Dr. Ben Rauch: So again, with the function of the nervous system, when our spine is out of alignment or we have those subluxations, then you’re not getting that full functioning nervous system. That nervous system controls and coordinates everything in our body, so things from digestive issues to headaches to back pain all can be helped when our spine is in alignment and that pressure’s taken off the nervous system.
Learn More
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Ben Rauch visit www.gardnerfamilychiro.com or call 973-614-9256 to schedule an appointment.
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