How to Avoid Back Pain And Keep Your Spine Healthy
By Sandy Schroeder
As we run through our daily routines, our spines may not get much attention, but that can change quickly if pain shows up. Eighty percent of people run into back pain at some point in their lives. When they do, the focus changes completely. Easing back pain and restoring normal routines often becomes a major effort.
If you would rather keep your spine healthy, and simply skip the pain, this might be a good time to see your chiropractor and take a few simple prevention steps.
Seeing Your Chiropractor
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you helps people of all ages deal with pain and establish long-term wellness. When you come in you will learn more about your spine.
The spine contains the central nervous system that controls much of what we do. When the spine is healthy, overall health benefits, too.
A gentle targeted spinal adjustment may relieve pain and generate an overall wellness with more energy, better sleep, and more alertness. Weekly 15-minute adjustments will help you keep your spine healthy as you take more steps to protect your spine, such as these from Harvard Health.
Support Your Spine as You Sleep
Avoid lumpy mattresses. Choose a medium firm mattress and pillows that fully support your neck and back. Ideally, your spine can rest and relax as you sleep. Pillows should be down-filled or filled with material that allows the head to sink into the pillow, avoiding stiff, awkward angles.
Strengthen Your Core
Your chiropractor can help you choose safe exercises that can be done daily to keep your abdominal and back muscles strong and limber to protect your lower back. Reserve 20 minutes per day to strengthen your core.
Limit Sitting and Evaluate Ergonomics
When you sit, the discs in your lower spine are under three times as much pressure as they are in standing. Many of us sit a lot as we work, which makes breaks and ongoing movement crucial. Movement maintains a flow of nutrients to the spine to keep it healthy. Break up sitting sessions, walk when you are on the phone, and stand rather than sit whenever you can.
Consider a standing workspace, or rethink your current one. Your chiropractor can help you improve seated posture and workplace support. Make sure your chair supports the natural curves of your back. Keep your feet flat on the floor with your knees slightly above hips. Keep monitors at eye level, and take 5- or 10-minute breaks every hour.
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you can help you keep your spine healthy. Learn more about the affordable healthcare plans that require no insurance, and flexible weekend and evening hours. No appointments are needed.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Houston, Tex.