Dangerous Conditions Exist without the Presence of Pain

Heart attacks often occur without advanced warning. The attack arrives and people remark how they never saw it coming. Cancer and other tumors often exist for years inside a living body without any known signs or symptoms. High blood pressure, cavities, and blood vessel plaques also form without warning signs or pain, especially in the early stages of development. The examples represent the very real existence of dangerous conditions which exist without the presence of pain. In fact, most of these conditions do not manifest with pain until the problem becomes advanced in stages of concern. Too often those manifestations meet the administration of pain resolving drugs as an initial treatment although the drugs never address the underlying cause of the problem.

Problems in the spine share similar characteristics. One group of researchers evaluated spinal health in young adults. The results showed that pathological changes of the cervical spine in a 24 to 27-year-old population were equally common in symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects.

In the group with no current or previous back or neck pain, the findings noted:

• Disc Protrusion – present in 87% of subjects
• Disc Degeneration – present in 73% of subjects
• Disc Annular Tear – present in 63% of subjects
• Disc Herniation – present in 0% of subjects

In the group with recurrent or persistent neck and/or shoulder pain, the findings noted:

• Disc Protrusion – present in 69% of subjects
• Disc Degeneration – present in 56% of subjects
• Disc Annular Tear – present in 50% of subjects
• Disc Herniation – present in 25% of subjects

The research acknowledged the underlying damage which often occurs with no symptoms present. So much of physical health involves proactive care. People understand that consistent check-ups and teeth cleaning at the dentist, health physicals with the family physician, and stress tests with a cardiologist remain logical methods of maintaining prolonged health. People also pursue regular cancer screenings to ensure early detection of any adverse conditions before signs and symptoms occur. The same philosophy applies to regular spinal check-ups and adjustments with a Chiropractor. The benefits of a Chiropractic adjustment go well beyond pain relief, impacting overall organ health and function in addition to spinal care. The presence of pain represents advanced stages of spinal concern. The most impactful benefits of Chiropractic care belong to those who experience proactive care to maintain optimal nervous system function.
Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the entire body through better alignment and mobility in the spine. The spine intimately connects to the brain and central nervous system. Improving the health of the spine and function of the nervous system begins with the onset of a Chiropractic wellness plan. Adjustments benefit the human body with or without the presence of pain, but proactive care allows the body to maintain maximum performance in advance of many deteriorating conditions. Wellness Chiropractic care focuses on improving and maintaining the health of the spine, nervous system, and the entire body through regular checkups and adjustments. Many Chiropractic patients choose wellness care guided by an understanding that proactive health care empowers people to know their body exists in a state of maximized well-being. Wellness care ensures better mobility, alignment, function, and strength for all ages. People deserve a better model of health care than waiting until the body begins to break down through pain and symptoms of advanced degenerative conditions. Chiropractic provides advanced healthcare for all generations.

_{European Spine Journal August 2002 “MRI changes of cervical spine in asymptomatic and symptomatic young adults.” SM Siivola, S Levoska, O Tervonen, E Ilkko, H Vanharanta, S Keinanen-Kiukaanniemi}