The spine is a vital but fragile part of our bodies that is easy to neglect when it feels good. The truth is that you should be taking care of your spine even if nothing is wrong. Back pain is the bane of many people, starting in middle age and worsening as you get older. To prevent this from happening, it’s important to be mindful of your spine and do your best to make sure you look after it. Here are four tips on how to do so.
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Table of Contents
Be mindful of your posture when sitting
Be honest, how often do you sit in an ergonomically healthy position in front of the work computer or on the couch at night? Not often, right? Sitting for too long, and with a bad posture, is going to take its toll on your spine in the future, so be mindful of how you sit. Stop slouching and leaning forward. Instead, position yourself properly at your desk and sit with a straight back. If possible, use an ergonomic chair. Also be sure to not sit still for periods that are too long. Get up and walk around, do some exercise, or use a standing desk intermittently throughout the day.
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Exercise your core
This is somewhat related to getting up and making sure to get some movement in during the workday. A weak core doesn’t fully support your spine, which puts more pressure on your lower back, and can lead to pain. Exercising your core strengthens your abs and back muscles to ensure your spine is supported, but the core is rarely used by most of us. This is why you should start doing specific core exercises a few times a week. This doesn’t need to be a full routine or done at a gym, you can do it at home in short intervals when you have time.
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Wear good shoes
Your shoes play a bigger role in lower back support than you might realise. When you’re walking anywhere, it’s important that your shoes are flexible, comfortable, fit well, and provide stability. The back of the shoe should be snug, but not tight, against your heel. The shoes should be balanced and feel secure as you walk, and the insole should contour the foot. This is just some guidance about what makes good walking shoes, so do some research and try a few pairs yourself. You can also use orthodontics or insoles for even more support.
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See a chiropractor when needed
Even if you follow all these guidelines, things can still go wrong. If you start experiencing back pain, even if it doesn’t feel very serious, you should consult a chiropractor as soon as possible. Seeing an experienced professional will enable you to find the source of the back pain and address the issue before it gets worse. If you’re local to New Jersey, you can go to oaklandspinenj.com to book an appointment. If not, look up a clinic in your local area and book in for a consultation. .
There you have it! If you follow this advice, you’re giving yourself the best shot at keeping your spine healthy.
