Does Your Spine Need A Root Canal?

Does your spine need a root canal?

Remember the last time you went to the dentist to receive a filling for a cavity… why did you go?  Was it because you noticed some pain or discomfort in a tooth, or did your dentist catch the cavity forming on an x-ray and decide it needed to be fixed before it got any worse?

If you are like most people who go to a dental professional on a regular basis, early cavity formation can be detected via x-ray and the tooth can be rescued before the problem becomes severe.  After all, what is the alternative… root canal, crown, bridge, extraction… the problem simply evolves into a more painful, more expensive situation!

We all understand and appreciate the act of preventing tooth decay because our mom and dad taught us that this is the responsible thing to do, right?  To take it a step further, we were taught that we should not simply rely on the dentist to CURE us in time of need, but instead we should take care of ourselves (brushing, flossing, rinsing, regular checkups, etc).  How easy it is to understand this concept.  It is as if we always knew it, and there is no other logical way to behave - anything else would be ridiculous and irresponsible!

Imagine for just a moment… if we all behaved in the same manner when it comes to the rest of our body.

Would we have the same incidence of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, etc?  No, I am sure we would not.

How is it that PREVENTION can be so well understood for teeth, and yet people are okay with the fact that their spine and joints are decaying and degenerating day in and day out from pure neglect?  Is it poor education, a lack of concern for something that does not hurt at the moment, a belief that a doctor can cure it when things get bad enough?  How is it that such insane behavior can persist?

If you get the sense that I am emotionally charged by this topic, you are right!  I recently had to look not one, but two patients in the face and tell them, “your spinal problems are so severe that I can not help you anymore”.  The pain of having to tell someone that is indescribable.  Especially when I know things did not have to end up this way for them.  Their spine needed more than a ”root canal”.  It needed to be replaced like dentures, but that is not possible.

The truth is… our commitment to our teeth dictates how long we will have them, and how much discomfort they may or may not bring us.  The same is true for the rest of your body… muscles, joints, discs, nerves, brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, etc.  Your future is determined by your commitment to it.  Do you “get it”?

There is a way to live and behave whereby our bodies will age as they were designed to, and the joy of living in this vessel lasts right up until the end.  But, the intelligence and physical effort required for such an outcome rests more so with the individual than with the Doctor.  Personal commitment and responsibility is the key to healthy teeth, and everything else in your body.

Your commitment to the health of your body should be top priority – not an inconvenience!  Exercising it and feeding it properly should be top priority in your life – not a matter of “when I have more time” or “I’m too busy”.  Your appointments with your dentist and your chiropractor are a commitment to your future, and they are truly invaluable.

Ladies and gentlemen… I have had my share of aches and pains prior to learning this lesson.  I am in the same boat as all of you… trying to figure out how to live the best life possible.  One thing I have figured out is this… our health and our life impacts those we love and care about.  How well we live it (what we learn, what we practice, what we preach) will dictate how many “root canals” they must have before they “get it” too. 

Speak up and educate others,

Dr. Craig