Spine-Friendly Tips From Your Chiropractor

By Donna Stark

The difficult thing about reducing the risk of back pain is that you have to be careful with everything. You need to have a great mattress, the right lifting technique, and the correct form. You need to avoid slips and falls, illness, and disease. And if you really want to ensure a healthy back throughout your entire life, you need to not age. Unfortunately, there isn't one person who can achieve all of those things (after all, we can't stop aging), but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try with the others. Here are three spine-friendly tips from your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic that will get you started toward those pain-free days your back is screaming for.

Correct Your Posture

When you think about your posture, is the position you find yourself sitting in the first thing that comes to mind? If it is, that's OK, but don't forget about your standing and sleeping postures too! When you are sitting and standing, make sure your ears, shoulders, and hips are in a straight line. Keep your shoulders pulled back and your head in a neutral position (stop looking down at your phone). 

When you are sleeping, try to find a position that supports your spine's normal curves. Sleeping on your back is generally the first position to be recommended, side sleeping is the second, and stomach sleeping is last.

Correct Your Form

Whether you are picking up a baby, playing a sport, or sorting boxes at work, you need to pay attention to your form. When you are ready to lift something, squat down, bend at your hips and knees, hold the item close to your body, and use your leg muscles while lifting and standing up. Avoid any awkward twists or turns of your body and make sure your paths are clear.

If you are playing a sport, make sure you are trained to use the correct form and check to see if your equipment is up-to-date and working. Try to play within your body's limitations, avoid any unnatural movements with your body, and watch out for collisions!

Correct Your Alignment

Keeping your spine healthy with routine chiropractic care is one of the best ways to ensure optimal health and wellness. If your spine is in proper alignment, the risk of muscle tension, joint stiffness, and nerve irritation can be reduced, which means you may experience less pain and discomfort. A properly aligned spine is a step in the right direction toward a healthy spine!

Back to Pain-Free Days

You can significantly reduce the pain and discomfort in your back with the three tips above, but don't stop there. Ask your local chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic for more ideas on how you can achieve pain-free days.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Gilbert, Ariz.