While Valentine’s Day has come and gone, it’s not too late to show a little love… to your spine. It may sound like a silly thought, but spinal health is absolutely crucial to your overall health and wellbeing. With a few simple steps, you can take better care of this invaluable part of your body and reap the reward for years to come. Here’s how:
Get some sleep!
We understand that life gets busy, and sleep often takes a backseat to caring for children, working, cleaning, and yes, scrolling social media. Besides striving for eight hours of slumber, do the following:
- Sleep on your side
- Try not to sleep on your stomach (this puts too much pressure on your spine)
- Invest in a supportive mattress
- Look for a pillow that properly aligns your neck
Get active and maintain a healthy weight.
When you focus on maintaining a healthy weight through exercise, you’re accomplishing two very important components of spinal health. Excess body weight and a sedentary lifestyle can cause low back pain. The best exercises focus on three key elements: cardiovascular, stretching, and strengthening. Tackle both issues, and you’ll be in good shape… literally!
Work towards a healthy spine.
The workplace can be a spinal danger zone. If you’re sitting for long periods of time at a desk, proper ergonomics are key. Here’s an sure fire shortlist to ensure your spine stays comfortable at work:
- Choose a chair with lower back support (put a small supportive pillow on your lower back if needed)
- Keep knees at a 90 degree angle with the floor (adjust your chair if needed)
- Ensure your desk is at the right height
- Plan breaks to get up and walk around every hour
- Don’t cradle the phone between your ear and shoulder for long periods of time
Listen to your body!This is the most important tip. If something feels off, it probably is. Don’t ignore warning signs. Give Momentum a call if you feel spinal pain coming on. We can work with you to stop serious pain before it starts.