How You Can Keep Your Spine Healthy

June 5, 2019

By Dr. Brent Wells

The spine is a very important part of the body, although many might not pay much attention to it. Because of this, it can be difficult to know just how to keep your spine healthy. This article will explore more behind the importance of the spine and the ways you can work to keep it in shape.

What is the Spine?

The spine is part of the body’s central support structure. It not only helps us to walk upright but is connected to many vital body parts including:

Chest
Head
Shoulders
Arms
Legs
Pelvis

Unlike many other bones, the spine is a very flexible one. This is due to its elastic ligaments which are connected to various discs and nerves.

Why is the Spine a Crucial Part of the Body?

The spine is a crucial part of the body for many reasons.

It Helps with Flexibility

The spine is what allows us to move around at different angles. Otherwise, we wouldn’t be able to move in different directions which could make things, including simple tasks, very difficult to do.

It Controls Bodily Functions

Surprisingly, the spine also helps to control many different bodily functions. Because it is connected to the brain, it helps to send messages to various parts of the body. This in return allows us to control our movements and even behavior. For instance, the nerves in the spine send messages to the brain to help us to know when we need to urinate.

It Evenly Distributes Body Weight

Without the spine, the weight of your body would be unevenly distributed. This would make it difficult to walk and even cause health problems because the nerves wouldn’t be aligned. The spine helps to prevent this.

What Causes Spinal Problems?

Image by StartupStockPhotos from Pixabay

There are a few things that can cause spinal problems. These include:

Poor posture
A sedentary lifestyle
Weak muscles
Arthritis
Obesity
Stress

When these issues are evident in the body, it can cause your spine to malfunction. This could range from slight issues to more severe ones. If not treated, these problems could eventually hurt your overall health.

Ways to Keep Your Spine Healthy

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

You’ll find many ways you can keep your spine healthy. Below are some methods to consider using.

Watch Your Posture

One of the best ways to keep your spine healthy is to watch your posture. Poor posture will not only cause stress on your spine, but could also lead to extreme back pain. Some ways to watch your posture include:

Sitting straight
Keeping your shoulders align
Wearing a brace
Do occasional stretches

These methods will work to keep your spine healthy and your body flexible.

Wear Spine-Supporting Shoes

Many might be surprised to learn that the type of shoes you wear can actually affect your spine. Poor supporting shoes will lead to a strange spine alignment. This can eventually cause your spine to curve or have extra pressure applied to it. Because of this, look to invest in spine-supporting shoes or inserts you can use.

Have Chiropractic Adjustments Done

Chiropractic adjustments can be a great help to spinal health. Adjustments work to prevent restrictions in the spine which can release tension. It also keeps the blood circulation moving which can remove toxins from it that cause pain and inflammation. In addition to this, constant chiropractic adjustments can help to prevent future back pain. Many chiropractic offices also offer massage therapy services such as my own clinic, Chiropractors Wasilla. A massage can help to relieve spinal pain and prevent severe spinal injuries.

Do Daily Exercises

Exercising can help to keep your spine healthy in many ways. It will not only work to keep it flexible but prevent it from easily being damaged. These exercises can range from intense aerobic workouts to simple stretches. Another great way to help keep your spine healthy and active is to swim. In fact, many renowned spinal institutes have claimed that swimming helps to keep the muscles in the back strong. However, due to the buoyancy of the water, you can exercise without feeling any strain in your back. This makes this option ideal for those who might already suffer from poor spinal health. Swimming exercises can vary and can span from doing laps around the pool to simply just walking around in the water.

No matter what you choose to do, exercising helps to keep the muscles in and around the spine healthy and active.

Use a Spine-Supporting Pillow

Another way to keep your spine healthy is to use a spine-supporting pillow. Many studies have been done that show certain pillows can extend the neck for long periods of time. Because the spine is connected to this, it can create pressure and cause the spine to twist in awkward angles. This is especially so with soft pillows which don’t provide enough support for the head and neck.

You can find a pillow that works to support your specific sleeping style. By doing so, you can sleep in a comfortable position, but one that keeps your spine supported during the night. Sometimes these pillows can also be customized to fit your needs if necessary.

Watch How You Lift Things

A common cause of spinal injuries or pain is improper lifting techniques. This can range from weightlifting incorrectly to simply picking up boxes in an awkward way. To properly lift an item, you want to use your leg and stomach muscles. You can bend down to pick items up with these muscles, rather than lean over which can put pressure on your spine. This will help to prevent back pain and severe spinal injuries, including slipped discs.

The spine is a vital part of the body and affects not only your back, but overall health. Because of this, it’s important to keep your spine in the best shape possible. By keeping the information above in mind, you can be sure your spine stays healthy so you can lead a painless and more active lifestyle.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Dr. Brent Wells, D.C. founded Better Health Chiropractic & Physical Rehab in Alaska in 1998 and has been a chiropractor for over 20 years. His practice provides the best chiropractic care and spinal adjustment in Juneau and has treated thousands of patients from different health problems using various services designed to help give you long-lasting relief.

Dr. Wells is also the author of over 700 online health articles that have been featured on sites such as Dr. Axe and Lifehack. He is a proud member of the American Chiropractic Association and the American Academy of Spine Physicians. And he continues his education to remain active and updated in all studies related to neurology, physical rehab, biomechanics, spine conditions, brain injury trauma, and more.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

References

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279468/

https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/is-your-pillow-hurting-your-health

https://www.ispinei.com/2018/12/24/back-pain-relief-swimming/

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Beautiful featured image by

Jairo Alzate