I’m going way out of my comfort zone. I have been training since June for a trek that takes place in one of the world’s most beautiful deserts. It’s the MDS Trek Morocco, one of the famous Marathon Des Sables events.

According to the race organisers, it’s more than just a hike, it’s about being so immersed in the heart of the Sahara Desert that you experience a moment of complete disconnection from the wireless world in which we live, in all its frenetic pace and often crippling deadlines. As you explore the desert, you learn to make new connections, push your physical limits, and test yourself.

But it’s not only your physical body that gets a long, hard workout. Workshop conferences are held at night and focus on physical and mental well-being in sports. Athletic Fasting – Its Strengths and Weaknesses, Glucose and Blood Sugar Management, and The Power of Breathing are just some of the topics I’ll be delving into more deeply.

Even the training has been taking me way out of my comfort zone. I’m so looking forward to gaining a better understanding of the physical and mental toll a trek like can take on my patients who participate in endurance racing. And I’m looking forward to that understanding helping me to see what they go through and revealing better ways to help my patients.

Speaking of ‘seeing’… Does a misaligned spine have an effect on your eyesight?

It can, yes. Your spine plays a vital role when it comes to the healthy maintenance of your body. The cervical spine, which is the upper back and neck, is not only the most important part of your spine, but it’s also the busiest section of nerves and veins in the body. Inflammation, or a blockage, affects not just your upper back and neck, but your whole body. Including your eyes.

Your optic nerve is directly connected to the central nervous system, so any disruption can affect the optic nerve, causing vision impairment. Compression of the optic nerve causes slow, painless, progressive loss of vision. Imagine how easy it is for your optic nerve to be compressed with a misaligned spine!

The same applies to the blood flow needed to keep the eyes functioning. The blood takes oxygen to the eyes – a vital component of good eyesight. Without it you may suffer from, at a minimum, blurry vision. If you need glasses to fix that, the best person to visit is your optometrist. But if you have any of the following symptoms, then it may be time to call on your chiropractor.

• Vision problems that occur after an injury, especially neck or spinal injuries
• Issues of blurriness or fuzziness
• Watery or sensitive eyes
• Double vision or tunnel vision
• Decreased eyesight due to illness, such as diabetes or glaucoma

Regular visits to your chiropractor can help to:

• Improve blood flow to regulate blood supply

As we said earlier, the optic nerve needs uninterrupted and easy blood flow, as well as oxygen, to function at its best. Blurriness, depth perception, and other eyesight issues can be created by that blood flow being restricted. Chiropractic adjustments can correct any spinal misalignments causing these issues and will ensure that blood and oxygen are able to reach the optic nerve unimpeded.

• Reduce the pressure in your eye

Glaucoma, diabetes, or high blood pressure can commonly result in pressure within your eye. Without treatment this pressure could lead to you permanently losing your sight. A regular flow of blood to your eyes can help reduce optic nerve pressure. That’s where chiropractic adjustments come in.

• Restore nerve function to improve your central nervous system’s communication

Even the smallest misalignment of your spine can cause a disruption in your nerve communication. As a result, the central nervous system and the optic nerve could be affected. Poor communication equals poor eyesight.

A spine with great health keeps that direct connection between your spine, your central nervous system, and optic health, clear and operating as it should. Issues caused by obstructed nerves or stressed vertebrae can be eased with good chiropractic care and could help restore your vision. Don’t leave it too late, make sure your spine is getting the regular care it needs.

Call us today and book an appointment and ensure that your eyesight isn’t being impeded by a misaligned spine.

WELLNESS TIP

Did you know that…

Hay fever season started in august!  How are your sinuses coping? There are plenty of different over-the-counter and schedule drugs available to ease sinus distress from hay fever. But there are also things you can do at home:

• Use a dehumidifier to reduce indoor humidity.
• Stay indoors on dry, windy days.
• Wear a dust mask when cleaning house or gardening.
• Wear glasses or sunglasses when outside to limit pollen getting in your eyes.
• Don’t do outdoor activities early in the morning, when pollen counts are high, or on high pollen-count days.

To ensure that your eyesight isn’t being impeded in any way by a misaligned spine, call us today and book an appointment!

Yours in health,
Dr. Monica and Helen