Health is easy to overlook when everything is working well.
We smile, move, turn our heads, and get on with our day without giving it a second thought. I certainly did until recently, when a skin infection called impetigo stopped me in my tracks.
On the surface, it’s considered a relatively minor condition. But for me, it meant I couldn’t smile without pain. Even moving my eyes upward pulled on inflamed skin and made me wince. Simple facial expressions suddenly became uncomfortable and limiting. So if you found my smile strange towards the end of the last year, now you know why.
It was frustrating, concerning, and oddly eye-opening (pun intended).
When “Normal” Disappears
What struck me most wasn’t just the discomfort, but how quickly I missed what I had taken for granted. The ease of facial movements. The absence of pain. The feeling of being able to fully express myself without thinking about it.
And it made me reflect on how often we do this with our health as a whole, especially spinal health.
As chiropractors and osteopaths, we see this pattern all the time. Many people don’t think about their spine, posture, or nervous system when things feel “okay.” They assume stiffness is normal. That tension is just part of life. That discomfort will sort itself out….. Until one day, it doesn’t.
Pain Is Often the Last Messenger
One of the biggest misunderstandings about the body is that pain is the first sign of a problem. More often, it’ actually the last.
The spine protects the nervous system, which that controls movement, sensation, healing, energy, and how we adapt to stress. When there’s ongoing strain from posture, old injuries, stress, or repetitive habits, the body can compensate quietly for a long time.
Just like my skin infection didn’t appear overnight, spinal stress usually builds gradually. The body adapts… until it reaches a point where it can’t anymore.
What Are You Assuming Will Always Be There?
This experience has made me pause and ask myself some honest questions, and they are worth asking yourself too:
What movements do I expect to always be pain free?
How long have I ignored small signs like stiffness or tension?
When was the last time my spine was actually checked?
Most people don’t lose their health suddenly. They slowly drift away from it, one ignored signal at a time.
A Gentle Reminder
Chiropractic care isn’t just about fixing pain when something goes wrong. It’s about supporting your body *before* it has to get your attention the hard way.
Feeling good isn’t guaranteed. It’s something worth paying attention to before your body finds a louder way to get your attention.
So if it’s been a while since your spine was last checked, or if you’ve been meaning to get back into care and just haven’t, take this as a friendly nudge. Not out of fear. Just awareness.
If this resonates with you, give us a call at 01273206868, or email us at in**@*************co.uk. We cannot wait to welcome you back with open arms!