Menu

Location

Your Spine 101

Image of a male chiropractor in his clinic pointing to a replica human spine to educate a patient.

An adult human spine typically consists of 26 moveable segments: seven cervical vertebras, twelve thoracic vertebras, five lumbar vertebras, one sacrum, and one coccyx (tailbone). Intervertebral discs separate the segments from the second cervical vertebra down to the sacrum and a thinner disc is present between the sacrum and coccyx. Intervertebral discs comprise about 25% of the height of an adult spine. Intervertebral joints connect vertebras and these joints are lined by lubricating synovial membranes. All of these structures are designed and built to last a lifetime.

Intervertebral discs, which are gel-like colloids, begin to lose their water content at about age 2. This slow resorption is perfectly normal. Nothing lasts forever, and all living structures degrade and deteriorate over time. With this in mind, we can understand how it is that x-rays of older persons show various degrees of degeneration or arthritis of the spinal joints and intervertebral discs. These physiological changes are ominously or portentously referred to as "degenerative disc disease" by certain specialists, but it is important to remember that these structures deteriorate naturally. Degeneration or breakdown of spinal joints and intervertebral discs is not a disease, but rather a standard process that occurs over time, more rapidly in some persons than in others.

There are measures we can employ to resist the effects of spinal degenerative changes and possibly even slow the process of degeneration itself. Spinal degenerative changes are problematic as they result in loss of resilience, flexibility, and mobility of the spine as a whole. The overall result is degradation of spinal function and increased possibility for strains, sprains, and other injuries. Solutions are available, as research studies have consistently demonstrated that regular vigorous exercise and healthy nutrition provide significant benefit in maintaining spinal structure and function.

Regular vigorous exercise such as walking, running, bike riding, and strength training provide consistent weight bearing stress to spinal joints and intervertebral discs. Such mechanical stresses are required for these structures to retain their physiological integrity. For example, exercise pumps fluid back into intervertebral discs and increases lubrication of spinal joints. Healthy eating provides the nutrients required to support efficient repair and replacement of the cells and tissues of spinal structural components. Thus, by choosing to implement healthy lifestyles, we help keep our spines in peak physical condition and become better able to withstand the negative effects of natural physiological forces occurring over time.

Having a healthy spine also depends on getting regular chiropractic care. Exercise, good nutrition, and sufficient rest are the primary requirements for spinal health, but there may be limitations and restrictions in the form of spinal joint dysfunction and nerve interference. These limitations prevent your spine from achieving optimal function and may lead to stiffness, loss of mobility, ongoing pain, and even injury.

By detecting and correcting spinal joint dysfunction, regular chiropractic care helps eliminate sources of nerve interference and enables your spine to do its job, which includes handling heavy mechanical loads and moving you around during all your activities throughout the day. Regular chiropractic care partners with your other healthy lifestyle choices to help you achieve high levels of health and well-being now and into the future.

  1. Geusens PP, van den Bergh JP: Osteoporosis and osteoarthritis: shared mechanisms and epidemiology. Curr Opin Rheumatol 28(2):97-103, 2016
  2. Falla D, Hodges PW: Individualized Exercise Interventions for Spinal Pain. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 45(2):105-115, 2017
  3. Teraguchi M, Yoshimura N, Hashizume H, et al: Metabolic Syndrome Components Are Associated with Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: The Wakayama Spine Study. PLoS One. 2016 Feb 3;11(2):e0147565. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147565. eCollection 2016

Location

Find us on the map

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Monday:

9:00-19:00

Tuesday:

9:00-19:00

Wednesday:

9:00-19:00

Thursday:

9:00-19:00

Friday:

9:00-19:00

Saturday:

9:00-14:00

Sunday:

Closed

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Good advisor and listener, he loves his job to treat people. He makes the extra step for his patients."
    John M.
  • "Ik ben op zoveel plekken geweest, maar niemand is beter dan Chis!"
    V. Donders
  • "Erg aardige en kundige chirpractor, een aanrader!"
    Mieke B.
  • "Chris is by far the best Chiropractor experience I have ever had, and I have been to many. He has lots of knowledge and really works to fix whatever issue you might have. I recommend him to anyone that ever asks me for a Chiro or Physiotherapy."
    Randall Z.
  • "Very Professional, very nice and very knowledgable guy and above all inspires trust"
    Muhammad Sam J.
  • "Zeer goede chiropractor... Aanrader!"
    Dave J.
  • "Chris neemt de tijd voor zijn patiënten en weet waar hij over praat. Ik ben zeer tevreden over zijn werk, kan hem van harte aanbevelen."
    Robert C.
  • "Ik ben heel tevreden over Chris! Ik kon op stel en sprong terecht en mijn klachten werden adequaat aangepakt. Een aanrader voor iedereen die op zoek is naar een goede chiropractijk."
    Arjen B.
  • "Christopher is vriendelijk en zeer kundig. De beste chiropractor in Amsterdam."
    V. Overdijk
  • "Super correctie!"
    Steven D.
  • "Ik kwam bij Christopher terecht met problemen aan mijn been en rug. Daarvoor was ik al 8 maanden bij huisarts, fysio, podoloog en mensendieck in behandeling maar niets hielp. Christopher heeft al na 2 behandeling mijn klachten opgelost en ben nu eindelijk pijnvrij. Ik ben dus zeer tevreden."
    Carla C.
  • "Tijdens een vakantie op IJburg verging ik ineens van de rugpijn. Ik liep rond als een kruk, maar na een aantal sessies bij Chris Boothe verliet ik het eiland met een gezondere rug dan ik in jaren heb gehad. Ik kan hem iedereen aanraden. Niet alleen vanwege zijn kennis en kunde, maar ook vanwege zijn gevoel voor humor en aanstekelijke positiviteit"
    Nadine Munninghoff — 5 star
  • "Chris goes to great lengths to solve acute and long term pains. I can certainly recommend him."
    Saskia Sanders
  • "Super friendly and professional. I am pain-free these days!"
    Flávio Badenes
  • "Dr Chris Boothe is a very dedicated chiropractor, and a caring person with a great personality. I would definitely recommend him!"
    Debora Ifijen
  • "Chris is the best Chiropractor in Amsterdam! Highly recommended"
    Wendy Kan
  • "Dr. Booth is great! He really takes the time to listen to everything going on, and makes you feel all your issues are being addressed. Very friendly too. Would recommend 100%"
    Dr. Stephen Malone
  • "Great guy, listens well, overall a great experience. Highly recommended!"
    Jeffrey Slijkhuis
  • "Competent service, nice guy."
    Michael Blok
  • "Best Chiropractor in Amsterdam."
    Rene Rabe
  • "ander half jaar geleden vreselijk pijn, kon bijna niet lopen.
    Ben naar Boothe ingestapt na 1 behandeling was ik pijn vrij.
    Ik raad het aan een ieder aan. Your the best."
    Melissa Wong — 5 star
  • "I crawled in and walked out. With a smile on my face."
    Iris Schmohl - 5 Stars
  • "I am very happy that we have such a good chiropractor at IJburg! I have traveled far for years because chiropractic is the best and fastest way to get rid of your pain."
    Myranda BruggeI
  • "Best Chiropractor in Amsterdam!"
    CK — 5 star
  • "Shelly Schomakers reviewed Boothe Chiropractie — 5 star"
    Shelly Schomakers
  • "Casasole Thibault reviewed Boothe Chiropractie — 5 star"
    Casasole Thibault
  • "Ömer Okur reviewed Boothe Chiropractie — 5 star"
    Ömer Okur
  • "Peter Ravelli reviewed Boothe Chiropractie — 5 star"
    Peter Ravelli