You may be out of alignment!
Because the spinal cord is critical to so many body functions, spinal cord trauma, however slight, can cause a wide range of secondary complications as demonstrated in a recent comprehensive study.
Bowel control: The stomach and intestines may continue to function, but control of bowel movements is often altered or lost.
Blood clots: Clotting can be of particular concern for spinal cord injury patients, as immobility reduces blood flow through the veins.
Pneumonia/Asthma: Both are common long-term health issues because muscles associated with breathing are often weakened, especially in cases of thoracic injury.
Autonomic Dysreflexia: This condition occurs when a stimulus below the injury site, triggers a message to the brain that cannot be received normally.
Incontinence: The bladder will continue to store urine from the kidneys, but the brain may not be able to control the bladder because trauma to the spinal cord will affect neurological communication.
Circulation Issues: Spinal cord injuries can result in circulatory problems ranging from low blood pressure when sitting up to swelling of the extremities.
Respiratory System Complications: The neurological level of injury will determine what kind of breathing problems the patient may encounter.
Muscle tone: Patients with spinal cord injuries might experience one of two common types of muscle tone issues.
Fitness and Wellness: Limited mobility may lead to a more sedentary lifestyle, placing the patient at risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.
Sexual Health: Sexuality, fertility, and sexual function is often affected after a spinal cord injury.
Experiencing any of these symptoms? Regular chiropractic adjustments can help reduce or eliminate these symptoms. If you are in the Jacksonville, Florida area, please call (904) 363-3374 to make an adjustment or send us a message on our contact us page.