What's Causing Your Spinal Issues?

By Stepy Kamei

One of the most commonly overlooked aspects of a person's total health and wellness is the well-being of the spinal column. Many of us don't end up taking our spinal health into serious consideration until problems start to develop. This is unfortunate, as many health problems that we end up facing on a daily basis can be avoided, or at least treated, in a much more safe and effective manner if we took the steps needed to keep our spines in good health. Living a healthy lifestyle in general is important to maintaining back and spine health, but there are more specific habits you can and should be picking up if you really want to avoid spinal health issues in the future. 

Check Your Posture

Having good posture is about much more than merely keeping up a good or polite appearance. Studies have shown there is a distinct correlation between a person's posture and their physical and mental health. People with poor posture are often found to suffer from increased instances of depression, low self-esteem, and anxiety, as well as sleeping issues and chronic physical pain, especially in the back and neck. By improving your posture, you can work to improve your whole body's health and wellness, as this will greatly improve your spine as well. 

Stay Nourished

First of all, you probably understand that having a healthy diet can greatly benefit your well-being, but this includes your levels of hydration as well. Water is the only liquid which can truly give your body the hydration it needs, so make sure you aren't relying on coffee, juice, or tea, to do this. Keep a filled water bottle around you at all times and remind yourself to take a sip at least once every 30 minutes. 

Get Quality Sleep

Sometimes, it's not just about quantity. Health experts recommend a person aims to get 7-9 hours of sleep each night, but if you're managing to do this and still experiencing fatigue or back pain, you may want to look into improving the quality of your sleep as well. It's possible that the pillow or mattress you're using may not be providing the support your spine needs. Try switching out your pillows for firmer or softer choices, or even changing up your sleep positions, to see what this does for you.  

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