Adding a Layer of Protection With Movement

By Donna Stark

Yes, accidents happen and you can't always avoid them, but if you want some general protection of your spine and would like to reduce the amount of back pain in your everyday life, there are some simple activities you can engage in. And the best part about doing these things is that they will knock out your daily exercise requirement too! Take a look at the following spine-friendly activities that will keep you moving and healthy for years to come.

Yoga

Yoga focuses on purposeful movements and controlled poses that help to strengthen and tone the muscles in the body. It also helps to support and encourage proper alignment. A big misconception about yoga is that you have to be extremely flexible to start but that couldn't be further from the truth. In fact, if you struggle with poor flexibility and range of motion, yoga could be the best solution for you! Through its many different movements and poses, yoga will help you improve mobility, ease muscle tension, and alleviate pain. If you have never tried yoga before, consider signing up for a class or find some videos online to practice in the privacy of your own home.

Walking

It's easy to see how walking makes this list because it is one of the most powerful and natural ways to reduce the pain you are feeling in your back. Walking helps promote gentle movement throughout your body, but more importantly, it promotes optimal spinal health. Incorporating a daily walk into your fitness routine will support proper alignment, restore range of motion, and improve joint function. It also helps promote the production of endorphins, your body's feel-good chemicals that help with reducing stress, regulating moods, and alleviating pain.

Aquatic Exercises

Swimming and water aerobics are excellent choices to make if you are looking for an all-over body workout that promotes a healthy spine. Because water exercises support the body and are easy on the joints, you can focus on strengthening and healing your back muscles without the concern of adding any additional strain and hurting yourself more.

Adding a Layer of Protection With Movement

Although there are some activities that you definitely want to stay away from if you suffer from back pain, daily movement will generally add an extra layer of protection to those muscles. Low-impact and spine-friendly workouts will strengthen the muscles, restore joint function, and promote proper alignment, so get your body moving today! And as always, if you have any questions or are unsure of where to start, just ask your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic!

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