The Benefits of a Stability Ball for Your Spine
By Sara Butler
It came into fashion a few years ago to sit on a stability ball at a desk. These days, you may not see this trend still occurring, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't consider a stability ball. In fact, the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic know how damaging poor posture at your workstation can be all day long. That's why, even though it's not as popular, you may want to consider a stability ball when you're at the office and at home.
The Problems Associated With Desk Work
Your workstation can wreak havoc on your spine. Sitting for hours at a time in a chair that doesn't properly support your body and staring at a computer monitor can cause headaches, back and neck problems, and a variety of other issues that chiropractors see every day.
Luckily, you can promote better posture in a few ways -- one of which is to harness the power of the exercise ball.
Your Office Chair
Using a stability ball, also known as an exercise ball, as your office chair can help to increase your strength and balance as well as improve your stability. You can easily find a stability ball that is the proper height for use as a chair and may even be able to find a chair with back support that uses a stability ball as its base.
The Benefits to Your Spine
So, exactly how does a stability ball help your spine? There are a few very important ways, such as:
- Toning core muscles - Balancing on a stability ball forces you to engage your abdominal muscles in your core, including the ones in your lower back and pelvic floor along with your abdomen. Sitting on stability balls helps to keep your core engaged for hours at a time and also encourage you to move, keeping your spine properly supported.
- Helping with back pain - Stability balls used as chairs also help to improve circulation which can help to relieve pain. Plus, a stronger core can help with back pain too.
- Improved posture - A spine that is better supported means better posture, too. Sitting on a ball works your core muscles and keeps them strong, supporting the spine and improving posture along the way.
If you don't want to sit on a ball all the time, consider alternating between it and a more traditional office chair.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Jose, Calif.