'back' in business...

We've all got one.....often we don't give them much thought until, perhaps, something goes wrong and then they become our one and only focus....
Our backs are a vital part of our body, without which we would be unable to perform just about any function that we take for granted.
As well as the structural support and shape they provide, our back's main role is that of protecting our spinal cord.  You may have heard the term 'Central Nervous System' - this relates to our brain and our spinal cord.  The brain runs the show, but without the spinal cord, no messages would make it from the brain to the body nor vital information from the body back to the brain.
This is a vast communications system with a constant stream of information flowing in order to keep our body working properly.
We can survive weeks without food, days with our water, a few minutes without air, but only seconds without this energy and information feeding through our nerves.
Problems can occur throughout our entire body should there be issues with our back structurally - either through muscular tension or subluxation (internal misalignments).
Below are some of the more commonly known areas of our spine and the corresponding problems they can cause in our body.

Cervical Vertebre - problems in this area can cause: headaches, insomnia, ear infections, hormonal problems, depression, sinus trouble, fainting spells, acne, hearing difficulties, tinnitus, upper arm pain, arm weakness, thyroid conditions and dry skin

Thoracic Vertebre - problems in this area can cause: asthma, breathing problems, blood pressure issues, chest pains, gall bladder condtions, indigestion, digestive disorders, blood disorders, allergies, kidney trouble, fatigue, menstrual problems, anxiety, immune impairment and ulcers

Lumbar Vertebre -  problems in this area can cause: constipation, diarrhea, hernias, appendicitis, upper leg conditions, bladder trouble, menstrual difficulties, impotence, knee pain, prostate problems, sciatica, leg weakness, swollen or weak ankles, tingling in the feet and back pain

Sacral Vertebre -  problems in this area can cause: pelvic problems, leg length differences, spinal curvatures, sciatic, knee pain and ankle
weakness

Coccyx - problems in this area can cause: infertility, mental symptoms, hemorrhoids, pain when sitting and migraines

So, as you can see, our back and spine play a much larger role than first thought. 
The good news is that there are practitioners out there who can help identify and treat these issues.
At sanctum, we focus on soft tissue condtions and supporting other practitioners.  Massage works muscle and connnective tissue allowing the body to realign, re-lengthen or resist falling back into poor postural patterns.
Other modalities can include: Chiropractic, Osteopathic, Physiotherapy, Acupuncture, Pilates, Yoga and Bowen Therapy.
sanctum is happy to recommend the following practitioners to our Clients: Chiropractic - Dr Madeleine Findlay, Centreway Arcade, Launceston CBD p: (03) 6331 9656; and Physiotherapy - Tony Hennessy, Mowbray Physiotherapy, Invermay Road, Mowbray (03) 6326 6999.
We are always happy to hear of other practitioners who have been helpful to our Clients. 
While we can suggest treatment options, ultimately, it's up to each person to find the modality and the practitioners that suits them.