[originally published in KCN, March 2000]
I wonder what Joe Camel’s spinal X-rays look like. Not very pretty in my estimation. In fact, I’m even starting to question whether he really is a camel after researching the impact cigarettes can have on the spine. Perhaps under his cool camel persona lies a spinal deformed horse with a bad nose job. If so, kudos to the ladies and gentlemen in Joe’s marketing department for fooling us all for so long.
So what’s up with smoking and spinal health anyway? Is there a link? Will the courts order tobacco companies to provide lifetime chiropractic care for their puffing patrons? Probably not. After all, the bad habit hasn’t been “conclusively” linked to poor spinal health. Hmmm. Nevertheless, the physiology of the spine and pharmacology of the potent chemicals in cigarettes suggests that a connection is very plausible. (more…)
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