Spinal Hygiene Snippet #1 Pain Is a Poor Measure of Health

Most people think about their spine when it hurts.

A sore back, a stiff neck or a headache gets our attention and often becomes the reason we finally decide to do something about our health.

And that's okay. Pain is an important signal.

But here's something I often say to my patients:

“Pain is usually the last thing to show up and the first thing to leave.”

What does that mean?

Our bodies are remarkably good at adapting.

We can compensate for changes in the way we move, sit, stand, work, exercise or use our bodies for a surprisingly long time without experiencing pain.

In fact, you can have changes in spinal movement or function without having any pain at all.

Eventually, however, your body's ability to compensate may be challenged—and that's when pain or other symptoms can appear.

This is why I don't believe that “I don't have pain” automatically means “everything is healthy.”

And the reverse is true too

When we start taking better care of our bodies, pain may improve quite quickly.

That's fantastic!

But feeling better doesn't necessarily mean that everything has completely recovered.

Your body may still be adapting. Your movement may still be improving. Your strength, coordination and ability to handle the demands you place on your body may still need attention.

Pain can disappear before healthy function is fully restored.

That's why I don't want you to use pain as your only measure of progress.

Look beyond pain

Instead, start noticing the other things your body is telling you.

Ask yourself:

• Am I moving more easily?

• Can I do the activities I enjoy with greater confidence?

• Is my range of movement improving?

• Am I able to sit, work or exercise more comfortably?

• Am I sleeping better?

• Do I feel stronger or more capable?

• Can I do things now that were difficult a few weeks ago?

These are all valuable signs of progress.

Think of pain as an alarm

Pain is a little like a warning light on your car.

When the light comes on, you don't simply say, “Well, the light is annoying. Let's switch it off.”

You want to know why it came on in the first place.

And when the light eventually goes off, you don't necessarily assume that everything under the bonnet is perfect.

Your body deserves the same kind of attention.

Pain is information. It deserves to be listened to—but it shouldn't be the only thing we listen to.

This is where spinal hygiene comes in

We brush our teeth every day because we don't want to wait for a toothache before looking after them.

Spinal hygiene is a similar idea.

It's about developing everyday habits that support your spine and nervous system before pain becomes the reason you have to pay attention.

Moving regularly, changing positions, building strength, being aware of how you use your body and giving your nervous system opportunities to recover are all simple ways of looking after your spine.

You don't need to wait until something hurts.

Your spinal hygiene takeaway

Feeling good is wonderful. But feeling good is not the same thing as being healthy.

Don't wait for pain to remind you to look after your spine.

And when pain does go away, celebrate it—but keep paying attention to how your body is moving, adapting and functioning.

Your spine doesn't have to hurt for it to deserve your attention.

A question to think about this week

If you stopped using pain as your only measure of health, what else could you notice about how your body is functioning?