Top Tips for a Healthy Back

Back pain is a common complaint, with most people experiencing it from time to time. Stemming from many different causes, it can either be acute, lasting just a little while, or chronic, lasting more than six weeks. If you suffer from back pain, you can take anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen, alternate hot and cold packs, or try some gentle exercises, but the best way to deal with this problem is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Fortunately, it’s not hard to be proactive about maintaining a healthy back.

• Stand up straight! Your mom told you this, and it’s absolutely relevant; good posture is an important part of keeping your back healthy and strong. Stand and walk with your spine in alignment, with shoulders and chin parallel to the floor, shoulders, hips and knees level, and feet and knees pointed ahead of you. When you’re sitting, don’t cross your legs, but keep your feet on the floor with your ankles in front of your knees, and a small gap between your knees and the front of your chair. Choose a chair with good back support, or use a back pillow to lend support to your low and mid back.
• Sleep well. The right kind of rest is important for your spine. When you’re asleep, the muscles and ligaments that support your spine have time to be rejuvenated, as long as you have the right sleeping set-up. Choose a mattress that offers back support, and never sleep on a couch or recliner, and get an adequate amount of sleep to keep your body healthy.
• Water, water, water! Does it seem like every list of health tips contains the exhortation to drink more water? Water is extremely important to all your body’s systems, and the back is no exception. Discs start out as about 80% water, and they need to remain hydrated to be effective shock absorbers.
• Wear the right shoes. Walking is wonderful for keeping your back strong and healthy, but no matter if you’re walking for exercise or just to get from point A to point B, it’s important to wear shoes that support your spine. Well balanced, flexible, comfortable shoes can help keep your spine in alignment, and help prevent muscle strain and injury.
• Exercise. Now that you’ve got the right shoes, get walking! Walking is good for your back, and weight bearing exercises can help build the muscles that support your spine. Exercises that specifically target abdominal and back muscles are important too, as keeping those muscles strong will help keep your spine in alignment.

Another important piece in maintaining good back health is chiropractic care. Your chiropractor is specifically trained to work with the components of the spine, helping to keep it in balance and reduce the occurrence of back pain. At our clinic, we use chiropractic and other holistic healing practices to address the root of each patient’s medical concerns, in order to help our patients achieve optimal wellness. Call today for your free consultation, and see how we can help you live your best, healthiest life.