There are some pieces of advice that are helpful at all stages of life. Tips like “look both ways before you cross the street,” and “say please and thank you” are smart at any age. There are also some pieces of advice that can help to protect and strengthen your spine no matter what age you are. In today’s blog, we take a closer look at four pieces of advice that can help keep your spine healthy no matter whether you’re nine or 92.
4 Ways To Protect Your Spine During All Walks Of Life
Here’s a look at four tips that we oftentimes recommend to patients who are hoping to overcome a spine issue or keep their back healthy no matter their age.
- Move – The best thing you can do for your spine is to challenge it physically. Your spine will become stronger through exercise and activity, as will key areas that support your spine. Movement will also help to push healthy blood throughout your body, ensuring these structures get the oxygenated blood and key nutrients they need to thrive. Strive to be active during all walks of life, and your spine will be better off for it.
- Eat Right – You may not have as much say in what ends up on your plate when you’re a child, but we hope that your parents and teachers push you towards some healthier options so that you don’t just gravitate towards unhealthy options when you get older. Eating healthy foods each day can make it easier for you to maintain an ideal weight. When you’re overweight or obese, your spine has to shoulder this extra stress, and that can speed up natural degeneration of areas like spinal discs or vertebrae. Consuming a range of healthy options like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fatty fish can make it easier for your spine to get the nutrients it needs for ideal tissue growth. It’s okay to indulge here and there, but make sure that you develop and stick to healthy eating habits throughout life.
- Be Aware Of Posture And Form – Poor posture is one of the leading causes of back injury, and it can lead to problems at all stages of life. It’s why we tell kids to sit up straight, why we tell athletes to tackle properly and have proper throwing mechanics, and it’s why we tell workers to lift with their knees, not their back when they are on the job. Get in the habit of performing regular posture checks when you are at your desk, on the couch or at your job and make some simple adjustments if you notice that your spine is shifting out of a healthy alignment. Having great posture is one of the simplest things you can do to preserve the health of your spine.
- Develop Healthy Sleep Habits – Finally, developing a consistent sleep schedule is incredibly important for your spine and whole body health. We may not realize the full benefit of healthy sleep when we’re young, as young kids oftentimes fight naps and young students regularly burn the midnight oil in order to study for an upcoming test, but as you get older it’s easier to understand the restorative benefits of sleep. However, sleep can also be hard to come by when you’re older if you have issues that interrupt prolonged sleep, like sleep apnea or bladder problems. Begin to prioritize 7-8 hours of continuous sleep each night so that your back can more easily recover from the rigors of the day.
If you do these four things, you’re setting your spine up for success in all walks of life. If something goes awry and you need care for your neck or spine, please reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
