Poor posture might not seem like a significant problem, but studies have shown that it can contribute to a range of different spinal problems, many of which can alter your quality of life.


These include:
 

• Scoliosis, a condition characterized by the sideways curve of the spine 
   

• Injury to the intervertebral discs
   

• Increased risk of injury due to repetitive movement, lifting, or sports
   

• Back pain
   

• Neck pain
   

• Mobility issues

One of the best ways of assessing how good your posture is, and if there are any other issues that could be affecting the alignment of your spine and therefore your musculoskeletal and general health is to undergo spinal screening.

What Is Spinal Screening?

Spinal screening is a very short and simple evaluation that can be performed during a lunch break. The purpose of spinal screening is to assess your spine for the misalignment of any vertebrae, posture problems, or other musculoskeletal signs that mean that you would benefit from the intervention of a chiropractor for diagnosis or treatment. 

Spinal screening is a non-invasive process made up of two different elements – static analysis and dynamic postural analysis. This means that your chiropractor will look at the position of your spine and your posture both when you are still and in motion. You will be asked to perform movements and take positions like:
 

• Raising your hands above your head
   

• Standing on one leg
   

• Sitting on the edge of a seat, standing up and then sitting down again
   

• Attempting to do a push-up
   

Using the information obtained from these movements, your chiropractor will be able to accurately determine if you are likely to be affected by spinal misalignment or posture problems and recommend the best course of action to correct these issues. This will likely involve a personalized treatment plan of chiropractic adjustments and other techniques. This will help to treat any symptoms that you may already be experiencing, such as pain, and reduce the likelihood of further problems or injuries from occurring. 

Should You Get a Spinal Screening?

Anybody can benefit from a spinal screening. In fact, many chiropractors recommend that patients attend an annual spinal screening appointment since problems with the musculoskeletal system can occur at any time. Nevertheless, there are some groups of people who might particularly benefit from spinal screening appointments. These include:
 

• Children, particularly adolescents who are in a period of rapid growth
   

• Children who complain of back pain which is thought to be a result of the backpack that they carry (poorly-fitting and heavy bags have been shown to cause undesirable spinal changes including curves)
   

• Adults with back pain
   

• Adults with poor posture or who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen
   

• Children with poor posture or who spend a lot of time in front of a computer screen
   

• Amateur or professional athletes
  
   

For more on spinal screenings, visit Active Family Chiropractic & Acupuncture in Grand Island, Hastings,  or Kearney, Nebraska. Call (308) 384-4955, (402) 249-5500, or (308) 222-4400 today to schedule an appointment.