Spine Health & Spinal Hygiene

Physicians, neurologists, and other healthcare professionals may often run a cranial nerve examination as part of a neurological evaluation to analyze the operation of the cranial nerves. This involves a highly formalized series of tests that evaluate the status of each cranial nerve. A cranial nerve test begins with observation of the patient partly due to the fact that cranial nerve lesions may ultimately affect the symmetry of the face or eyes, among other signs and symptoms.

The visual fields for neural lesions or nystagmus are tested via an evaluation of particular eye movements. The sensation of the face is tested by asking patients to execute different facial movements, like puffing out their cheeks. Hearing is tested through voice and tuning forks. The position of the individual’s uvula is also examined because asymmetry in its placement could indicate a lesion of the glossopharyngeal nerve. After the capability of the individual to use their shoulder to test the accessory nerve (XI), the patient’s tongue operation is generally assessed by detecting various tongue movements.

Neurons are believed to establish neuronal connections through innate predetermined programs during the developmental process of the brain. It’s also believed that neurons gravitate to areas of attraction and move away from areas of repulsion in a theory known as the chemoaffinity hypothesis. The Chemoaffinity hypothesis claims that neurons first make connections with their targets based on interactions with specific molecular markers and, therefore, that the first wiring diagram of an organism is indirectly determined by its genotype.

These markers are created during cellular differentiation and aid not just with synaptogenesis, but also act as guidance cues for their individual axon. The development of the mature nervous system formations demands axons to navigate to their correct targets in order to establish neuronal connections or synaptic connections. Growing axons create highly motile structures, known as growth cones, which direct the axon to its goal. They do it by responding to specific guidance molecules that either attract or repel the growth cone.

When the spine degenerates with age, the spinal bones gradually begin to deform. These changes can then affect the soft-tissues surrounding the spine: muscles, tendons, ligaments, discs, joints and even spinal nerves.

Through overuse, bad posture and/or as a result of an injury or other underlying condition, the spinal discs are the most commonly affected structures when the spine begins to degenerate. The spinal discs, or vertebral discs, primarily function as a shock absorber between each vertebra. These also act as ligaments to hold the bones of the spine together and provide mobility to the spine. As people age, the body begins to wear and tear from use. The spinal discs will degenerate from loss of fluid, causing these to become thinner and less flexible, no longer providing a comfortable cushion between each vertebra. The supporting ligaments, tendons and muscles can also begin to weaken, leading to various complications, including pinched nerves, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, osteoarthritis, and misalignments of the spine.

Because spinal degeneration occurs over an extended period of time, its symptoms can appear subtle and are often overlooked in its early stages. However, once this natural wear and tear begins to develop into much more severe complications, a majority of individuals will experience neck, back and lower back pain, depending on the location of the spinal issue.

"The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress highlights a new study which reports substantial growth in the use of chiropractic care by the U.S. Department."

The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress (F4CP) notes that for more than 10 years, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has included chiropractic services as part of the standard medical benefits package offered to all enrolled veterans. According to a new study conducted by researchers from the VA Connecticut Healthcare System, published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, the use of chiropractic services and the chiropractic workforce in VA has grown substantially since their introduction over a decade ago.

“Our work shows that VA has steadily and substantially increased its use of chiropractic services each year following their implementation in late 2004,” states lead author of the study Anthony J. Lisi, DC, Director of the VA Chiropractic Program, and Chiropractic Section Chief at the VA Connecticut Healthcare System. He then added, "VA continues its efforts to ensure appropriate access to chiropractic care across the whole system, but as this paper shows, the progress to date has been remarkable.”

A variety of issues weigh in on an individual's likelihood of ending up with sciatica. Most of them deal with increased pressure on the spine.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sciatica can best be described as a compression of the nerves on the spine, most commonly occurring as a result of a herniated disk or a bone spur. The impingement of the nerves can then cause inflammation, pain, and often, symptoms of tingling and numbness on the affected leg. Sciatica can commonly be the result of increased stress on the spine and/or nerves of the spine. 

Obesity, improper lifting, a sedentary lifestyle, and getting older are all frequent factors that cause sciatica and its familiar symptoms. Carrying too much weight can strain the spine, causing damage that may result in sciatica just as twisting the body incorrectly to lift heavy objects can also result in injury to the spine.

Treatment options for sciatica can vary and the choice depends on the severity of the condition.

Chiropractic care for sciatica works to align the spine and reduce the pressure on the lower back. Together with strengthening exercises, a person's symptoms of sciatica can be greatly reduced. Acupuncture has also shown positive results in the treatment of sciatica. Other treatment options for sciatica involving medication include, anti-inflammatory drug therapy, supplements, and cortisone injections. 

In the human body, the spine functions to balance and support an upright posture but, when there is a spinal misalignment as a result of an injury or underlying condition, the health of the spine can be greatly affected, an individual’s posture may appear abnormal and can often lead to further complications.

Although there are many treatment options for restoring an individual’s spinal health and reducing common symptoms of back pain and an improper posture, maintaining a healthy spine can most importantly be achieved through prevention. Chiropractors often diagnose and treat a great amount of people whom experience a back injury or aggravate prior spinal conditions. In order to maintain a healthy spine free of back pain and other symptoms, following several preventive measures can make a great difference.

One of the biggest causes for spine complications is overexerting physical fitness. The best way to avoid an injury is to forget instantly resuming into your previous workout routines especially after a long period of little to no physical activity. Foremost, in order to maintain overall spinal health, it’s important to start building your physical fitness slowly. Individuals often tend to overestimate their fitness levels once they resume physical activity. By starting slow, an individual is allowing the body to first regain its previous strength, stamina, and agility. 

After performing any physical activity its also important to stretch. A chiropractic doctor or physical therapist can also help by recommending the appropriate stretches according to each individual to efficiently warm up and stretch the muscles and joints as to not cause an injury or aggravate an underlying condition.

The cranial nerves are the nerves which come out straight from the brain, including the brainstem, in comparison to the spinal nerves, which come out from sections of the spinal cord. Of those, 10 out of 12 of these cranial nerves originate in the brainstem. Cranial nerves transfer information between the brain and parts of the human body, particularly to and from areas of the head and neck.

Spinal nerves exit from the spinal cord with the spinal nerve closest to the head (C1) exiting in the space above the first cervical vertebra. The cranial nerves, however, exit from the central nervous system above this region. Each cranial nerve is paired and is present on either side of the brain. Based on the definition in humans, there are twelve, sometimes thirteen, cranial nerve pairs, which have been assigned Roman numerals I-XII for identification, sometimes including cranial nerve zero as well. The numbering of the cranial nerves is based on the order in which they emerge from the brain, or from the front to the back of the brainstem.

The terminal nerves, olfactory nerves (I) and optic nerves (II) come out from the cerebrum, or forebrain, where the rest of the ten pairs of cranial nerves arise in the brainstem, which is the lower portion of the brain. The cranial nerves are considered components of the peripheral nervous system (PNS), though on a structural level, the olfactory, the optic and the trigeminal nerves are more accurately considered a portion of the central nervous system (CNS).

Most commonly, humans are believed to have twelve pairs of cranial nerves (I-XII). These include: the olfactory nerve (I), the optic nerve (II), the oculomotor nerve (III), the trochlear nerve (IV), the trigeminal nerve (V), the abducens nerve (VI), the facial nerve (VII), the vestibulocochlear nerve (VIII), the glossopharyngeal nerve (IX), the vagus nerve (X), the accessory nerve (XI), and the hypoglossal nerve (XII). There may be a thirteenth cranial nerve, known as the terminal nerve, or nerve N or O, which Is quite small and may or may not be functional in humans.

High level performers are always looking for strategies that will give them an edge in their field of endeavor. Athletes want to run a split second faster and jump an inch higher while business executives want to have sharper mental clarity and improved working efficiency. Specific meal timing and superfood strategies have been shown to optimize performance and recovery.

We all want to perform at our peak no matter whether we are a teacher, stay at home mom, doctor or athlete. It is also integral that we recover fast and effectively. The goal is peak performance and quick and effective recovery so we can get up the next day and do it all over again.

In recent years, in recognition of the value and benefits of chiropractic care, Congress has passed, and the President has signed into law, legislation establishing a permanent chiropractic care benefit for both active duty military personnel and veterans. Furthermore, a doctor of chiropractic is now stationed in the U.S. Capitol to provide necessary care to members of Congress

To date, there is a doctor of chiropractic at 60 military bases around the country; however, according to a 2005 Government Accountability Office report, only 54 percent of servicemen and women eligible for chiropractic care can reasonably access the benefit. It is still necessary more is done to increase chiropractic access and availability.

Upright’s wearable device connects to your back and helps improve your posture. Thankfully, we had the chance to test it out

If the opening of this article hasn’t already prompted you to straighten your back, give it a go right now. Try keeping your back straight for the rest of this article. Unfortunately you may find that after five minutes or less, you will be longing to slouch again. If this is the case, Upright has the product for you. 

As well as causing back pain in the short and long term, slouching affects your body language, mood, self confidence and more. It is estimated that as many as 80% of people will experience back pain at some point in their lives.

Vast research demonstrates the benefits of good posture. It was found that “adopting an upright seated posture in the face of stress can maintain self-esteem, reduce negative mood, and increase positive mood compared to a slumped posture.” Furthermore good posture can improve mood and energy levels and increase lung capacity by as much as 30 percent.

Oded Cohen founded Upright when he couldn’t find an adequate solution for his mother’s slouching. So in July 2012, he started Upright in Israel, with a mission to eradicate bad posture. In May 2014, Upright launched an Indiegogo campaign and raised $155,244 from over 2,000 backers.