Bad Back Habits to Break
By Brandi Goodman
Let's face it, we all have at least one bad back habit we need to break. Whether you slouch too often, sit for hours, twist and bend too much, or even wear high heels regularly, these habits are all bothersome to the back and spine. We need to find ways to break these habits and make smarter choices so our bodies don't ache because of them.
Slouching
Sitting and standing with good posture is necessary for a healthy spine. If you find yourself slouching far too often, you need to rethink this bad back habit. Do your best to think about your posture everywhere you go. Whether you're sitting at the couch, at a desk at school, standing at work, or otherwise, you should always think about how your posture is and what you can do to make it better. Keep your head high and facing forward with your shoulders back, but relaxed.
Sitting for Hours
You may have lost many hours sitting down on your couch watching TV. If you're one who tends to sit too often, you may want to think about adding in an exercise plan. Instead of sitting while you watch your favorite shows, get up and step in place instead. You could also take the time to stretch, bring out the treadmill, or try a stair stepper. Lots of easy exercises are possible while you multitask. If you truly are tired and do need to sit and rest a while, at least get up every so often and walk to the other room and back and stretch out your joints.
Twisting and Bending
You should not be twisting your back and bending over with your spine hunched. These movements can quickly lead to pain and amp up the possibility of getting injured -- especially if lifting is involved. You should always do your best to bend at the knees and use your legs to lift. Avoid twisting or bending and try to line yourself up for proper posture and protocols no matter what activity you're doing.
Wearing High Heels
High heels may look cute on, but they are very detrimental to your spinal health. You're putting your feet at an angle and causing your body to be off-balance. Over time, this can wreak havoc on your spine and even cause pain for your feet and legs. You should wear athletic shoes as much as possible and avoid high heels and flats.
Bad back habits such as these need to be broken. You want your spine to be as healthy and
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Northbrook, Ill.