How Spinal Hygiene Can Help Alleviate Back Pain
By Sara Butler
Back pain is something many people have to deal with at one point or another. In fact, the American Chiropractic Association reports that at any given time, about 31 million Americans are dealing with back pain. The leading cause of disability in the United States is also back pain, so to say it's a huge issue that many people deal with is putting it lightly.
The good news is that the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic are here to help. One way you can help to alleviate any back pain you're experiencing is through practicing spinal hygiene. But what is spinal hygiene? Read on to find out.
Spinal Hygiene: What Is It?
Taking care of your teeth is called oral hygiene -- and taking care of your spine is spinal hygiene. When you take care of your teeth, you follow certain preventative measures to keep them healthy such as regular visits to the dentist, flossing your teeth, and brushing daily. Spinal hygiene follows a similar process.
With spinal hygiene, certain exercises and stretches are done, relaxation techniques added to your routine, proper posture adhered to, and regular visits to the chiropractor done.
Exercises for Spinal Hygiene
If you're experiencing back pain, then you should take some steps to help prevent abnormal function of the spine. These include doing stretches each day such as:
- Child's pose - This easy yoga stretch has you getting on all fours, extending your arms straight out in front of you and relaxing your legs and hips in order to get a good lower back stretch.
- Hamstring stretch - Sit with your legs out in front of you, tucking one leg up toward you and leaving the other straight. Next, reach for the extended foot in order to stretch your hamstrings. Repeat on each side for at least 10 seconds.
- Trunk rotation stretch - Lay on your back and bring your knees to your chest. Keep your back flat against the floor and rotate your legs, keeping them together, from one side to the other, deep breathing along the way.
See the Chiropractor
If you don't practice proper spinal hygiene, then you may experience degenerative issues with your spine. Regular visits to the chiropractor can help you to keep your back healthy by eliminating joint dysfunctions in the spine, but you have to do your part to keep your back healthy along the way, too.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Englewood, Colo.