Most people eat a healthy diet, schedule regular dental check-ups and eye exams, but neglect on of the most important parts of the body their spine, according to The American Chiropractic Association. Doctors of chiropractic throughout the United States are promoting Spinal Health Month. It is a period set aside to alert the public to the benefits of spinal health and the interdependence of good health and the spine.

Even simple activities like working at a computer can cause pain or injury if done improperly. The central nervous system originates in the brain and channels down through the spinal column, extending to every point of the body. A healthy nervous system will help prevent illness and injury.

Over 80 percent of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives. The cost of treatment, disability payments and lost work time due to this epidemic runs as high as $40 to $50 billion annually in our country.

The best way to fight the pain, emotional stress, missed days of work that accompany a spinal problem is to prevent it from occurring in the first place. The following tips will help you reduce your risk of spinal injury:

At the office, take periodic stretch breaks while working at your computer.

Hold the telephone with your hand instead of between head and shoulder.

Do warm-up exercises before any physical activity, including yardwork, and cool-down exercises when you have finished.

If at all possible, don't bend from the waist to lift anything. Squat with your back straight and use your leg and arm muscles to lift, keeping the object as close to you as possible.

If you experience pain for more than one or two days, despite these preventative measures, consult your local chiropractor. Make an appointment immediately if the pain is severe. A doctor of chiropractic can treat spinal injuries by identifying, through orthopedic and neurological examinations and x-rays if necessary, where the problematic area is located.

Chiropractors are trained to manipulate and adjust the spine to correct the problem, alleviate pain and encourage the body's natural healing processes. More than 20 million Americans used chiropractic last year to alleviate spinal pain.

To learn more about spinal health or chiropractic care, call your local chiropractor or contact the American Chiropractic Association at 1-800-986-4336.

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