If you are visiting the chiropractor for the first time ever, the first time in a long time, or you have suffered an injury or health problem that has prompted your visit, you may be recommended to undergo a chiropractic spinal screening.

Spinal screening is a simple process that is also a valuable diagnostic tool. Your chiropractor will have undergone specialist training to be able to successfully identify, manage and treat injuries and other problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. One of the most common is poor posture.

If you slouch when you sit at a computer or watch tv, you aren’t alone. Very few of us pay a great deal of attention to the shape and position of our spine during the course of our day-to-day activities. Nevertheless, persistently poor posture can lead to a range of unpleasant symptoms and more significant issues with our back, including but not limited to:
 

• Back pain
   

• Neck pain
   

• Mobility issues, such as pain and stiffness that makes bending, twisting, and other movements difficult
   

• Increased risk of repetitive strain or sports injury affecting the musculoskeletal system
   

• Scoliosis, a condition that is characterized by sideways curving of the spine
   

Spinal screening can act as a first step towards identifying the underlying cause of back pain, as well as giving your chiropractor an indication as to the overall health and condition of your spine and musculoskeletal system.

What’s In a Spinal Screening?

During the spinal screening, your chiropractor will perform a direct analysis of your spine. This analysis of your spine is when it is static, and when you are in motion. You may hear this referred to as static analysis and dynamic analysis. Evaluating both is important since the position of your spine changes depending on what you are doing.

The analysis itself is non-invasive and completely painless. During it, you will be asked to assume various positions and perform specific movements so that your chiropractor can see and feel the position of your spine. These could include, but aren’t limited to:
 

• Sitting
   

• Standing
   

• Raising your hands above your head
   

• Standing on one leg and then alternating
   

• Moving from sitting to standing
   

• Doing a push-up

By analyzing the position of your spine in each situation, your chiropractor can correctly diagnose any issues currently affecting you and recommend the most effective treatments to help.

Why is Spinal Screening Important?

Not only can chiropractic spinal screening identify any current issues affecting the alignment of your spine, such as injuries caused by poor posture or bad lifting techniques, but it can also help to predict the future of your spinal health. This is because screening can also be used to assess your risk of future problems.



By identifying these early, your chiropractor can work with you to take preventative measures to minimize these future risks. This could involve correcting your posture, using strengthening exercises to build muscle and support for your spine, improving your flexibility, or teaching you correct techniques for certain manual movements. Regular chiropractic appointments can also help to ensure that your spine remains in alignment.

For more information about chiropractic spinal screenings, visit Jassy Chiropractic Center in Midlothian, Virginia. Call (804) 379-1145 to schedule an appointment today.