Living with chronic pain can feel like an endless search for relief. People often find themselves at a crossroads, wondering if they should stop using the painful part of their body to prevent further discomfort or find ways to restore its natural function. At BETTER LIFE Family Chiropractic & Wellness, we understand the complexity of chronic pain and the choices it forces you to make. Let’s explore two primary approaches to handling chronic pain—stopping movement or restoring function—and why choosing the right path makes all the difference.
Option 1: Stop Moving or Using the Affected Area
When we experience pain in a joint or part of our body, it’s natural to try to avoid using it. This instinct is understandable; after all, we want to minimize discomfort. However, this approach can lead to unintended consequences, especially when it comes to the spine. The spine is a remarkably complex structure with 28 levels of joints, including those in the upper and lower sacrum. These joints allow for a wide range of movement, which gives the illusion of full functionality even when certain areas are no longer moving as they should.
Unfortunately, when one segment of the spine loses mobility—even if it doesn’t cause immediate pain—a process of degeneration begins within just 18 days. Lack of movement in one part of the spine places extra stress on other areas, forcing them to compensate and often leading to hypermobility or restriction elsewhere. Over time, this imbalance becomes a ticking clock, one that can lead to significant issues if left unaddressed.
Stopping movement in response to chronic pain might provide temporary relief, but in the long run, it sets the stage for compounded dysfunction and accelerated degeneration. As the years go by, this approach often “catches up to you,” manifesting in more pain, stiffness, and a loss of flexibility.
Option 2: Correct the Dysfunction for Lasting Relief and Health
The second—and ultimately more effective—approach is to address the root cause of dysfunction to restore natural movement and promote optimal health. Chiropractic care provides a powerful way to achieve this. By correcting joint restrictions and misalignments, chiropractic adjustments restore proper motion to the spine and other joints, ensuring that every part of the body can function as it was designed to.
But chiropractic care does more than simply relieve pain and restore mobility. It plays a crucial role in optimizing nervous system function. When the spine is aligned and each joint moves properly, the nervous system is able to communicate effectively with every part of the body. This enhances all bodily functions, from circulation and digestion to immune response and mental clarity, allowing the body to heal and function in the way God intended.
At BETTER LIFE Family Chiropractic & Wellness, we focus on helping you maintain better movement, better connection, and ultimately, a better life. Our goal is not just to help you manage pain but to address the underlying causes, ensuring you can live with vitality and ease.
Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain or simply want to keep your body functioning at its best, chiropractic care offers a natural, effective way to achieve lifelong wellness. Let’s work together to restore function, support your nervous system, and empower you to live the life you deserve.