Spinal Hygiene and its Impact on Health and General Well Being
Cadice Shepherd, B.S., D.C., Ron Kirk, B.S. Ed., M.A., D.C.
Journal of Vertebral Subluxation Research ~ August 16, 2004 ~ Pages 1-3
Abstract
Objective: To determine if participation in a spinal hygiene class would enhance the quality of life in students engaged in a health care curriculum.
Methods: Utilizing the Rand SF-36 and Global Well-Being Scale, quality of life measurements were conducted pre and post participation on an experimental group of students taking a spinal hygiene class. Experimental group scores were compared to a nonrandomized, but matched control group of students.
Results: Students in the spinal hygiene group improved significantly across a broad spectrum of quality of life parameters, both on the basis of pre and post class score comparison and comparison to the control group performance.
Conclusion: The practice of spinal hygiene procedures shows great promise in the vital area of improvement of quality of life. In a society where obesity and sedentary living are pandemic and spinal health is deteriorating, it is hoped that as health care practitioners these students will share and model positive spinal and neurological health behaviors to their patients and communities.
Key Words: wellness, health promotion, quality of life, spinal hygiene
