Your spine does more for your body than you probably realize. A strong spine that’s also supple can make your life a lot more comfortable and a lot less painful. Below, you will find some tips that can help you to keep your spine healthy and happy:
Exercise Frequently
One of the best things that you can do for your spine is to exercise frequently. Exercise can help to strengthen and even rehabilitate your spine. Try exercising your back, abdominal muscles, and your hamstrings. When you do, you’ll help to keep your spine and any surrounding ligaments, joints, and muscles healthy. This can only be a good thing.
Reconsider Your Sitting Posture
When you sit down do you sit correctly? Is your posture good or could it be improved? Your spine has a lot of natural curves, if they aren’t supported you could damage them. This is because when you sit down you increase the load on your spine by 40%. This can cause the discs in your spine to become quite painful.
If you tend to sit down a lot, please make sure that your chair and any desk you sit at is ergonomically aligned. You may also want to consider using a standing desk. In addition to this, you should get up and walk around every hour.
Deal With Your Pain
If you are in pain you need to deal with it. Even minor back pain can make your life a misery. You could speak to your doctor, consider PRP therapy, and exercise your spine if it is safe to do so.
You could also consider using heat therapy, and over-the-counter painkillers. Please make sure that you speak to your doctor if you are concerned about your back pain.
Eat a Balanced Diet
Eating a balanced diet can have a big impact on your spine. This is because whole grains, meat, fruits, vegetables, and legumes are high in anti-inflammatory agents They also contain a lot of antioxidants that work to keep you healthy.
If you are overweight, you could be more susceptible to back pain. This is because your spine has to carry the extra load.
Quit Smoking
We are all aware that smoking is bad for us. However, not everyone is aware that it potentially damage your spine. This is because smoking can increase your chances of having degenerative spinal disorders. When you smoke, your spinal disc’s vascular structures get damaged. The joints also start to suffer. If this is not a good reason to give up smoking, I don’t know what is.
Quitting smoking can be hard. This is why you may need to ask for help. The good news is there’s plenty of help out there. Please speak to your doctor if you are struggling.
You can help to keep your spine healthy by using the above tips. The healthier your spine is, the less pain you’re likely to be in. Do what you can to improve the health of your spine so you have an easier life.