Just like a Dentist, Everyone Should Have a Chiropractor.

Most people don’t wait until they’re in severe pain to see a dentist. Routine cleanings, daily brushing, and preventive care are widely accepted as essential parts of maintaining oral health. We understand that small habits and regular checkups help prevent bigger problems down the road.

Yet when it comes to spinal health, many people take a very different approach. Chiropractic care is often viewed as something you seek only when pain becomes unbearable, rather than a proactive part of maintaining overall health. The truth is, your spine and nervous system deserve the same level of consistent care and attention as your teeth.

Just like dental hygiene protects your ability to eat, speak, and smile confidently, spinal hygiene protects your body’s ability to move, function, and heal efficiently.

Why Preventive Care Shouldn’t Stop at Your Teeth

Dental care works because it combines daily habits with professional support. Brushing and flossing alone aren’t enough—you still need cleanings and exams to catch small issues before they become major problems. The same principle applies to your spine.

Your body constantly adapts to posture, stress, movement, injuries, and daily demands. Over time, these stresses can create subtle dysfunctions that don’t always cause immediate pain but can slowly compromise how your body functions. Preventive chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting these issues early, before they turn into chronic conditions.

To better explain this philosophy, Dr. Wharton outlines the concept of spinal hygiene and why chiropractic care should be part of everyone’s wellness routine below.

Spinal Hygiene & Chiropractic Care

Do you have a dentist? Do you get your teeth cleaned twice a year? Do you brush your teeth daily?

If you answered “yes,” then that’s great! You’re doing your part to keep your dental and oral hygiene in check. Dental hygiene includes everything you do to maintain the health of your mouth and teeth. If you don’t take the proper measures for your dental health, you could compromise your ability to chew food, drink certain beverages, or smile with confidence.

Just like the energy that you put towards your teeth, you should double that energy, and put it towards your spinal hygiene. Your spine houses and protects your Central Nervous System (CNS). Your CNS controls every single system, cell, muscle, organ, and tissue in your body. Wouldn’t you want to keep all of your cells, muscles, organs and tissues in check too?

While the spine, aka. the vertebral column is meant to house and protect the spinal cord, it is also has to remain flexible. That is why the vertebral column is made up of over 300 joints. Joints are meant to move. When joints get restricted or fixated, then inflammation and extra wear-and-tear occur. Over time if a joint continues to wear-and-tear, a minor problem becomes a big problem. Something that is easily correctable, turns into degeneration aka. arthritis. This dysfunction spreads to other parts of the body and creates compensations which later become new problems elsewhere in the body. This is what Cypress Chiropractic strives to correct and ultimately avoid.

What does Spinal Hygiene include?

First and foremost, chiropractic care at Cypress Chiropractic & Wellness will find these joint fixations and adjust them to shift the joints into their proper alignment. Chiropractic adjustments enable the joint and surrounding tissues to heal and function optimally. Adjustments allow the nerves to communicate through their pathways freely and it stops degeneration, dysfunction, and “dis-ease.”

Second, you have to take a little bit of time and energy everyday, just as you would brushing your teeth, towards stretching and exercising. This may be some gentle yoga for about 5-10 minutes, and/or, this could be some exercise such as walking, running, weight training, or anything active that makes you happy.

Third, you must hydrate. All of the vertebral discs have a nucleus pulposus that is mostly made up of water. Being hydrated keeps these discs plump, pillowy and lubricated. Dehydration causes the discs to shrivel up and become more rigid.

Lastly, make sure that your daily activities, work, and/or habits are supportive and nourishing for your spine. Some examples would be, if you work at a desk, make sure you have proper ergonomics. If you work on your feet, make sure your shoes are comfortable and supportive. Don’t carry heavy bags on one shoulder for extended periods of time and do not sit on a wallet while driving. Make sure you have the right mattress and pillows in order to ensure restful sleep.

Chiropractic is often only thought of as something you do when you have back and neck pain, but it’s soooo much more! Chiropractic is about prevention and maintenance of the most precious parts of our body, your spine and Central Nervous System.

Anyone with a spine will benefit from Cypress Chiropractic care. Newborns, elderly, pre-natal, and adults! Cypress Chiropractic is currently accepting new patients and is looking forward to partnering with you in healing and reaching your health goals.

Why Spinal Hygiene Is a Lifelong Practice

Spinal health isn’t static. It changes as you move through different stages of life. Childhood development, work stress, injuries, pregnancies, aging, and lifestyle habits all place different demands on the spine and nervous system. What feels like a small issue today can quietly progress if left unaddressed.

By practicing spinal hygiene consistently, you give your body the opportunity to adapt more efficiently, recover more fully, and function at a higher level over time. Preventive chiropractic care helps reduce the accumulation of stress and dysfunction before it turns into pain or limitation.

READ: What Is a Concentric Disc Bulge (and Can Chiropractic Care Help)

Chiropractic Care for Every Stage of Life

One of the most powerful aspects of chiropractic care is its versatility. Care is tailored to the individual, making it appropriate for people of all ages—from newborns to seniors. Gentle, specific adjustments help support nervous system balance, mobility, and overall well-being throughout every phase of life.

Rather than waiting for symptoms to appear, regular chiropractic checkups help ensure the spine and nervous system remain adaptable and resilient as your body changes.

Prevention Over Crisis Care

Waiting for pain to show up before seeking care often means the issue has been developing for quite some time. Just as cavities don’t form overnight, spinal dysfunction usually builds gradually, often without obvious symptoms in the early stages.

Choosing preventive chiropractic care allows small issues to be addressed before they become disruptive or limiting. When chiropractic becomes part of your wellness routine rather than a last resort, it supports long-term mobility, comfort, and overall quality of life.

If you’re ready to take a proactive approach to your health, visiting a chiropractor in Charleston SC can help you stay ahead of discomfort and support your body before problems arise. Preventive care isn’t about waiting for pain. It’s about protecting how your body functions every day.

Treat Your Spine Like Your Smile

You brush your teeth daily, see your dentist regularly, and take steps to protect your oral health. Your spine deserves the same commitment. With consistent care, supportive habits, and professional guidance, spinal hygiene can become a natural part of how you care for your body.

Chiropractic isn’t just about relieving pain, it’s about maintaining the foundation that allows your body to function at its best.

Thanks for reading the Cypress Chiropractic Health Blog. Until next time, stay healthy.