Close and far views of human spine

Follow These 5 Tips for a Healthier Spine

Maintaining a healthy spine is important for many reasons. Your spine supports your body and helps you move, bend, and twist. It also protects your spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that carries signals between your brain and body. Here are five tips to help you keep your spine healthy.

1. Practice Good Posture

Good posture is important for a healthy spine. When you sit, stand, or walk, ensure your back is straight and your shoulders are squared. Avoid slouching, which can put a strain on your spine. When you sleep, lie on your back with a pillow under your knees to keep your spine in alignment.

Other ways to practice good posture include taking frequent breaks when sitting for long periods and using a supportive chair or ergonomic desk. Trying to sit up straight may feel awkward at first, but it will become second nature with practice. You can visit a chiropractor in Oakland to help you learn how to properly align your spine.

2. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Carrying extra weight can strain your spine and lead to back pain. If you are overweight, work with a chiropractor in Oakland to develop a plan to lose weight safely. Losing even a few pounds can significantly affect your spine health.

Eat a balanced diet, and exercise regularly. Avoid fad and crash diets, which can lead to yo-yo dieting and strain your spine.

3. Exercise and Therapy

When used together with exercise,  Oakland spine and physical therapy may help improve your spinal health. Aerobic exercises like walking, jogging, and swimming are also good for your heart and lungs and help reduce back pain. Strength-training activities like lifting weights help build strong muscles around your spine. Likewise, flexibility exercises like yoga and stretching help maintain a healthy range of motion in your joints.

Oakland spine and physical therapy clinics use a variety of exercises and treatments to relieve pain, increase strength and flexibility, and improve your overall spine health.

4. Don’t Smoke

Smoking is bad for your overall health, including your spine. Smoking reduces blood flow to the spine, leading to a degeneration of the discs and other spine problems. Smoking also increases your risk of osteoporosis, a condition that causes bones to become weak and brittle.

If you have trouble trying to stop smoking, talk to your doctor about ways to quit. There are many resources available to help you kick the habit for good.

5. Reduce Stress

Stress can harm your spinal health. When stressed, your body goes into fight or flight mode. This causes your muscles to tense up, which can lead to pain. Stress can also make sleeping difficult, which can also impact your health.

To reduce stress, practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation. You may also want to consider visiting an Oakland chiropractic clinic to learn these techniques.

These are just a few tips to help you keep your spine healthy. You will need to make a lifelong commitment to your health, but the effort is worth it. A healthy spine will help you live a pain-free and active life. Spine and Joint Center is an Oakland chiropractic clinic dedicated to helping you achieve and maintain a healthy spine. We also offer services such as acupuncture, IV drips, and injections. Contact Spine and Joint Center today to learn more about our services.