How to Pamper Your Spine for Better Health
By Sara Butler
You've only got one spine, so I should only need to say this once: It’s important to take good care of something that takes such good care of you so you two can last a lifetime together. Keeping your spine healthy and happy should be a top priority, so here are a few simple things you can do to nourish and coddle your spine for the long run!
Exercise – It Should Be Part of Your Lifestyle
If you spine could talk it would tell you one simple thing: Exercise! Exercise is one of the most important things you can do to encourage spinal health. It helps to create a strong spine that is less susceptible to injury, and also helps your spine to heal if it is injured.
Your spine is made to move; simply integrating a program of strengthening and stretching into your life can make a big difference. You should focus on not just your back but your abdominal muscles and your hamstrings as well.
Use Your Mind
If you can take a little time every day to go through some simple meditation it can help you to fight chronic back pain if you suffer from it. Pain perception is a bit of a mysterious topic, but studies have found that you can use your mind to help you cope with chronic pain.
Evaluate Your Posture
Your spine has natural curves that need to be maintained, but sitting for long periods of time slumped over in a chair is not a way to do that. If you sit down a lot at a desk for work, you need to do a few things to keep your spine healthy.
Talk to your chiropractor about ways in which you can set up your workstation so that it is kind to your spine. Also, ask for advice about the right kind of office chair that will support your back and encourage good posture. You may want to consider a standing desk or using an exercise ball as a chair for a portion of your day. It’s really important that no matter what, you take at least one break an hour to get up, move around and stretch. Sitting in one position for too long can set you up for repetitive injuries you probably want to avoid.
Get Out and Walk!
Walking is one of the best forms of exercise out there, so take as many opportunities as you can to get out and walk. It will help to nourish your spine, help to improve your flexibility and even help to strengthen your bones.