As days shorten and temperature cool — you may be unwittingly slowing down activity — golf, gardening, walking, become fond memories, giving way to the soft couch, or increased work hours and stress. But before you take your shoes off to relax for the winter, or head to the office for extra work hours, I have an important message: Following simple rules can make your wintertime one of good memories and health. Ignore at your own risk.

Do you know the number one reason for emergency room visits is back pain? Back pain from spinal mechanical dysfunction is certainly not the most serious of conditions, yet it can be very disabling. One percent of hospital admissions with back pain are from renal colic. This is a condition where crystals form in the kidneys. It is noted by being painful all the time, but becomes intolerable during the morning hours.)

Back pain from mechanical dysfunction is definitely on the rampage in our society. Why is this? With the spine being the most complicate mechanical structure known, the laws of mechanics must prevail. Violating these laws can and does have unexpected consequences.

Most back related pain is due to an underlying mechanical deficit causing irregular or reduced motion and eventually pain. This is often the result of using body mechanics in a way never intended, and injury can result. Injury that is often so slight that it goes unnoticed. However, left untreated, the disc begins to decay and the involved structures deform, and a horrible debilitating cycle starts. Periodic flare-ups are your clue that this back condition is settling in. The good news is that it is preventable if treated early.

Before you find yourself searching for relief on the medical merry-go-round of steroid shots, anti-inflammatory med’s, pain pills, stop and consider what the underlying problem most often is really all about. It is probably related to mechanical dysfunction.

Chiropractors call this mechanical dysfunction Subluxation. This is a condition where there is nerve system irritation caused by mechanical dysfunction of the vertebra of the spine. By gently correcting the problem with various “adjustment” techniques and then supporting the correction with muscle balancing techniques, stretching and exercise, one will usually turn the corner for most back problems.

However, once the back mechanics are working optimally, things cannot stop there. Why? Because the problem was not the result of something simply being “out of place.” The problem was the result of the body failing to adapt, or improper use, or use with no regard for limits. These situations can all cause the spine to destabilize.

Simply removing roadblocks that keep healing energy from working for you by the adjustment is not the complete answer to the problem. You are faced with a critical fact: The back is mechanical.

It is clearly evident that things mechanical must be used within their design limits or mechanical capacity will be diminished and finally lost. This is simply logical.

If the chiropractor can help to restore function to within limits, now you are at the starting-point, able to set things straight.

Here is the simple rule I promised: Things mechanical need maintenance.

Ok, if you believe this, then start your winter months with back health maintenance, rather than couch-potato exercises. Here are some beginning rules, but remember, you’ll need to take the initiative and figure out how the simple principle I mentioned above can be applied to your life in a healthy and safe way:

• Drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. The disc that supports your structure is mostly fluid, and it, like other components to movement; require ample liquid replenishment each day (no, not pop).
• Slowly and gently move your body through all the ranges of motion, each and every day. Move your arms, back, neck. Join a class that incorporates stretching and body mechanics, and then go to it regularly, and learn how your body functions.
• Eat regularly. Failing to eat throughout the day adds stress to the digestive system and can lead to problems with energy and health.
• Problems sleeping? Don’t eat carbohydrates after 6 p.m. Don’t drink liquids after dinner. Schedule early dinners. Sleep on a supporting mattress. The sleep cycle is the most important component to health and vitality, and is a huge trouble spot for many folks. Go to bed at a regular time. Start your rest period with a healthy-heart boost: give up the troubles of the day, forgive those that hurt you, think of a restful night with pleasant dreams where healing energies go to work to strengthen and support your health.

   Why not begin your winter season by reserving a period devoted to gentle flexibility, endurance and strengthening? Add to that time to build relationships, and go ahead snuggle into a good book — but do it after your daily conditioning and maintenance routine is finished for the day.

It’s unfortunate that most people know more about prevention for the teeth, which can be replaced, than for the back, which is irreplaceable. A spinal evaluation would be a good start to back health. Why not give it a try?

(Editor’s Note: Dr. Robert Kelley, a local Chiropractor practicing in Old Town Silverdale is available for talks related to natural health enhancement. He may be reached at 360-692-0515.).