Back Pain from Bingeing? Chiropractic Care Can Help

By Randi Morse

My life is now busier than it has ever been before. I have work, I have a family to take care of, and I'm back in school to finish my bachelor's degree. This means that there is very little free time I have to spend by myself or with my husband and kids. My husband is a huge television watcher, and it's pretty much guaranteed that you can find him yelling at the hockey refs on TV from October to June. What I didn't realize was sitting in front of the television, vegging out with my husband and binge-watching Netflix, could cause back problems! Every year tons of people run to their chiropractor for help repairing joint restrictions that have been caused by watching TV or just vegging. The good news is that there are a few tips you can use to help ensure that your back doesn't suffer from your binge-watching habits.

Correct Posture

I will admit that for a long time I was guilty of having horrible posture. I used great posture when sitting in a chair or on a stool, but the moment I sat on a cushy couch or armchair I slouched and curled up in very unnatural positions. The best way to sit and watch television, especially if you have back issues already, is to sit with your feet touching the floor, flat on the ground. If you want to curl up into the couch, try using a pillow and lying in a prone position, as you would on your bed. Lying on your back or your side is much better for your back than curling your knees up underneath you or twisting your spine into strange shapes.

Moving Around

Streaming services have made it far too easy to binge-watch entire seasons of television shows in just one sitting. This, however, is definitely not good for our bodies. Sitting for too long can cause joint restrictions and back pain. It's important that you stand up and stretch periodically. This helps to release tension in your back. Try to stand up and move around between every episode, or every few episodes. 

If you are already dealing with an aching back due to your television watching habits, the doctors at The Joint Chiropractic are available to help. They have open office hours and affordable rates, making it easy to have your spine examined and any restrictions corrected so that you don't have to miss out on bingeing the next season of your favorite show.

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