New Year, New Spine
The New Year is here! Have you thought about your New Year’s resolution yet? Most people like to cut back on chocolate or get to the gym more, but here’s a different idea: why not focus on taking better care of your spine? If you think about it, your spine is the structural groundwork for your body. Your spine provides support, balance, and enables motion. It is also the protector of your spinal cord, nerve roots, and internal organs. The spine is a lot more important than we think! Wondering what you can do to boost your spinal health? We have a few tips to help you get started.
Rest and Sleep
Neck and back strain are common during rest and sleep. If you’re a stomach-sleeper, this puts way too much pressure on your spine. Sometimes we fall asleep in strange positions or angles and wake up achy, asking ourselves, “Did I sleep the wrong way?” We strongly advise against sleeping on your stomach and to instead sleep on your back or side. It’s also important that your pillow supports your neck and head so that everything is neutral with your spine.
Lifting Objects
Before lifting something, you first need to ask yourself, “Is this object too heavy for me to lift?” If yes, it is always safer to ask someone for help. If no, you still need to pay attention to how you lift the object. Lifting objects improperly is the most common way to injure your spine. Always use your leg muscles to lift, never your back. Be sure to also keep your back straight and hold the object close to your body. You should never twist while picking something up and you should always set the object down the same way you lifted it.
Talking and Texting on the Phone
Do you find yourself on the phone a lot? This can also affect your spine. If you need to speak on the phone for an extended period, using the speaker function or a headset is recommended to keep your neck aligned with your spine. Tilting your head towards your shoulder can damage muscles and vertebrae. Similarly, when you’re texting, keep your neck and back straight with the device at chest or eye level. You should never slump or hunch.
Working at a Desk
If you work in an office setting, chances are you don’t get to move around as much as your body would like to. Investing in an office chair with lower back support can make all the difference for your spinal health. Also be sure that when you’re sitting, your feet are flat on the floor with your knees at a ninety-degree angle. Your computer screen should always be at eye-level. It’s important that your desk, computer, and chair are set up for your specific height and functionality. Once your environment is ergonomic-friendly, we recommend you transition from sitting to standing periodically throughout the day. Even the simplest stretches at your desk can prove beneficial.
Nutrition, Hydration, and Exercise
Excess weight puts a lot of unnecessary strain on your spine. It’s vital that you do your best to support a healthy weight by eating nutritious food and exercising at least three times a week. Staying hydrated is also very important because this is how you maintain the elasticity in your soft tissue, fluidity in your joints, and most importantly, the hydration in your spinal discs. Without hydration, your spinal discs will shrink and cause a whole host of other problems, such as a herniated disc.
If you want to add an extra edge to your overall spinal health, you can always schedule an appointment with our office for chiropractic adjustments. These keep you on a consistent track to good spinal health, but also your chiropractor will monitor or notice any issues going on. Treat your spine and schedule an appointment with us today!
More Articles
- Caring for Your Joints and Muscles While Travel...
- Chiropractic Assistance for Sports Injuries
- Common Symptoms of Extremity Pain
- Conditions Treated by Spinal Decompression Ther...
- Chiropractors Can Help Relieve Lower Back Pain ...
- Common Causes of Pinched Nerves
- Getting to the Root of Shoulder Pain
- Causes of Neck Pain Your Chiropractor Can Help ...
- Chiropractic Care and Rest
- Problems in the Back Muscles
- Help for Herniated Discs
- Staying Safe While Groundskeeping
- Tightness in the Soft Tissues
- Backpack Usage
- Chiropractic and Headaches
- Good Habits for Your Spine at Work
- Maintaining Musculoskeletal Safety
- Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
- Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica and How to Trea...
- Treating and Preventing Neck Pain
- Treating Your Back Pain
- Exercise for Fibromyalgia
- Spinal Decompression Therapy
- Travel for People with Musculoskeletal Trouble
- 10 Ways to Relieve Your Back Pain
- Whiplash Symptoms and Treatment
- Neck and Arm Radiculopathy Sharp pain
- Burner Stinger and Neck Injuries
- Frozen Shoulder
- Chiropractors Approach Sciatica
- Chiropractic Care for Pregnant Women
- Sleeping with Less Joint Pain
- Chiropractic Care and Heart Health
- Avoiding Neck Pain in the New Year
- Strengthen Your Immune System
- What is a Herniated Disc?
- National Chiropractic Health Month
- Proper Desk Posture
- Chiropractic Treatment For Auto Accident Injuries
- Hiking and Chiropractic
- Back Comfort at Home
- Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Runners
- What Is Multiple Sclerosis?
- Chiropractic Care for Headaches
- Back Muscle Spasms
- New Year, New Spine
- Slip & Fall Accidents During This Holiday Season
- Tips for Traveling with Joint Pain
- Prevent Back Injury While Doing Yard Work
- Brachial Plexus Injuries
- How Chiropractors help Athletes
- What Is Fibromyalgia Syndrome (FMS)?
- Degenerative Neck Pain
- Tips to Healthier Living this summer
- Back Pain and the Gluteal Region
- Workplace Habits and Poor Posture
- The Connection between Whiplash and Concussions
- Psychological Consequences of Back Pain
- What Is Sciatica?
- Effects of Inflammation in the Body
- Three Major Types of Mattresses
- How Standing Affects the Back
- Pregnancy Aches and Pains: How Chiropractic Can...
- Pediatric Chiropractic
- Chiropractic Approach to Arthritis
- Physical Effects of Stress
- Myofascial Release Technique
- Sleeping Positions for Aches and Pains
- Causes and Treatments of Hip Pain
- Back Pain in Cold Weather
- How the Change of Seasons Affects Our Health
- Chiropractic Treatment for Migraine Headaches
- Graston Technique
- Vertigo and Chiropractic Care