The Straw that Broke the Camel’s Back

For centuries, camel’s have proven to be a reliable animal to help transport goods. Their robust stature and tough demeanor can get them through a difficult environment, which makes them the perfect animal to do the job. But every creature has its limits. Imagine a camel that was used by its owner to transport bales of straw. The owner piles on as many bales as he thinks that the camel can carry. Before they set out on their way to deliver the goods, his wife points to a bale that he should add in order to fulfill a bigger order. The camel then whines in complaint of the added weight, but still stands tall. Seeing that the camel was able to carry the load, the owner greedily adds another pile of straw, thinking he could make some extra money for his delivery. The moment he places the straw on the camel, the camel gives a loud groan and the camel falls. The owner finally realizes his ailing camel’s limits.

Camels and Spinal Health

The imagery shown here is very applicable to how many people fall into illness and discomfort. Ever hurt your back bending down trying to pick up something small? Or have a jolt of pain in your back and leg after a simple sneeze? As light as straw is, when piled on enough, it proves to be too much for the camel. The same goes for our spine. When the spine is under enough repetitive stress, no matter how small it is, there comes a final stressor that eventually pushes it over the edge, which leads to pain and discomfort. It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back. Small injuries and stressors add up and can prove to be too much for the spine if not properly taken care of. These small, repetitive stresses can show up in our workplaces, in our daily postures, our harmful habits and improper exercise. As Chiropractors, we like to describe spinal stress as physical, chemical or mental stressors that cause our spine to compensate and misalign. And eventually when introduced to enough of these, the spine reaches its breaking point.

What Can You Do?

First of all, it’s good to change your habits. If you notice that you’re required or naturally undergo the same daily repetitive tasks that add stress to your spine (such as sitting in front a desk for hours, awkward postures, etc.) it’s best to change things around so your spine doesn’t undergo the same stress over and over again. You can do this by taking frequent breaks or changing your postures regularly. Another effective solution is to see a Chiropractor. Many times the spine undergoes so much change after being influenced by so much stress, so it would be best to see what condition your spine is in and understand what a Chiropractor can do to positively influence your alignment. It’s always best to do this before you reach that breaking point, as damage to your spine will not only present as pain and discomfort, but can bring on a host of health issues as well. Your spine is the pathway your brain uses to send information through your body, so it’s a no brainer to make sure your spine is in tip-top shape so you can be at your best. If you’d like to learn more and talk to one of our Chiropractors, do not hesitate to contact us our Missauga office- (905)821-4951.