The 75/25 rule

When a patient presents for care, they are primarily focused on what they actually feel in terms of symptoms. Pain is usually the most common factor. However, you need to know that the vast majority of conditions that you have may not actually have any associated symptoms you are aware of. This explains why when the doctor is palpating your spine, you feel tenderness in certain locations that you didn't know were even there. This is called a subclinical circumstance that only becomes known when lightly exacerbated by palpation. If you could actually feel 100% of all the conditions you have, you would experience pain 24 hours a day.

When the sacroiliac joints are facing the wrong direction, this can cause undue pressure on the acetabular joint (Where the femur, your leg attaches to your pelvis) and uneven wear resulting in arthritis which can lead to a hip replacement. You can see an example of this in another blog post titled, "Pay attention to what your NOT paying attention to".

To be truly well, you want to be free of not only what you feel, but what you don't as well. This way you can avoid unnecessary hidden degeneration of your spine.

The best way to be truly well is to consider chiropractic treatment the same way you view dentistry or working out at the gym. The body requires maintenance. The spine is your structure. Without proper maintenance, you lose upward mobility into your elder years.

One might ask, "Why should I care about fixing something I cannot feel?" Answer: Because degeneration occurs whether you feel a symptom of pain or not. If a house is burning but the fire alarm fails to activate, does it change the fact that there is a fire. No.

Often times, when a patient presents to the office for the first time, they are surprised by what is seen in the x-rays. However, what is seen should not be ignored. You only get one spine. Treat it well and you will be able to walk for many years to come.

Dr. Lewis