In today's society, there are many chronic health conditions that are so prevalent they have become common. These range from different types of cancers, and type II diabetes to systemic inflammation and back pain. While these issues are quite common, it is important to acknowledge that they are not normal. So what is the difference between the two?
Common can be defined as: Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
Normal can be defined as: Functioning or occurring in a natural way; lacking observable abnormalities or deficiencies.
These words are often used interchangeably, but they have very different implications especially when they have to do with health. Each year, the number of Americans impacted by chronic health issues continues to rise. These days even children are commonly diagnosed with health problems that were almost unheard of 50 years ago. So why is this happening?
The three main things that have the most significant impact on our health are what we eat (nutrition), how much we move (exercise), and what our day-to-day stress levels are at work and at home. The majority of Americans are eating processed foods, living sedentary lifestyles, and dealing with stress levels at an all-time high at home and in the workplace. Much of the changes are tied in with convenience and how we have modified our lives to be more streamlined. Food can just be grabbed off the shelf and immediately consumed, our community is only a click away, and the need to get up and go places is an all-time low because we are so digitally connected with the world around us.
This translates to non-nutritious food consumption, limited movement in our day-to-day, and the pressure to respond at a moments notice to texts, emails, phone calls, comments, tweets...and the list goes on. And as a result, Americans are getting sicker, and we are starting to see some chronic conditions so frequently that they are becoming common and being misinterpreted as normal.
Back pain is one of the most common chronic conditions today. Did you know that back pain is the single leading cause of disability worldwide? Preventing many people from engaging in work and many other daily activities. Back pain accounts for more than 264 million lost work days per year- that's two work days for every full-time worker in the country! For even more facts about the prevalence of back pain, you can read this great article from the American Chiropractic Association.
It is important to acknowledge that just because back pain has become more prevalent, it is definitely not normal. If you are struggling with any chronic condition, including back pain, it is an indication that your body is out of balance. No matter what ails us, the underlying problem is that our body is fundamentally out of balance. This can be structural, neurological, physiological, or in many cases- all three!
Getting your spine checked is an important step on the journey to finding balance in your body. When the spine is out of balance, it directly and negatively impacts neurological function, which then leads to physiological imbalances. Restoring proper alignment allows the brain and body to communicate more effectively, and thus improves overall function in the body. With better brain-body communication, we experience fewer symptoms and a greater level of ease in our body and lives. If you are wondering whether or not chiropractic is right for you or your family, book an appointment and learn how chiropractic can get you back on the road to normal.
