Years of stress and too much use and abuse can cause your spine to degenerate, or wear out. Joint inflammation (arthritis) may result. Joints may also lose alignment and discs can wear down. And you may start to feel pain and stiffness.

A Healthy Spine
Your spine is made up of bones (vertebrae), cushions between the bones (discs), and soft tissue (muscle and ligaments). Your spine supports the weight of your body. When no single part of the spine has to do too much work, bones, discs, and soft tissues stay healthy and pain-free.

A Degenerating Spine

Misaligned Joint - A spinal joint is where two vertebrae meet. Poor posture, strain, and injury can push a joint out of line. Then vertebrae don't move as they should. Discs and muscles are stressed. Nerves may be pinched and irritated.

Early Degeneration - With repeated stress, a disc wears down. Bone spurs (bony growths) may develop. Muscles and other soft tissues may stretch unevenly. Nerves amy be irritated and painful.

Advanced Degeneration - If the disc thins further, the nerves can become pinched. The vertebrae begin to fuse, or stick together. Pain may be severe, and your ability to move may be greatly reduced. Lasting numbness may result.

(reprint The StayWell Company. ©1998, 2001. All right reserved)

At Broomall Total Health Center our comprehensive approach has been producing excellent outcomes for our patients. Our treatments not only restore them to their healthy pre-injury condition, but can help to prevent problems in the future. We welcome the opportunity to help you.