Healthy Spine: The Ultimate Guide

Los Angeles spine surgery experts say maintaining a strong spine is an integral part of leading a healthy lifestyle.

Back pain is often caused by leading a sedentary, inactive lifestyle. Back pain can turn into a major issue for many people and lead to hugely negative consequences. Back pain can result from a variety of factors, such as smoking, being overweight, lifting heavy items, and more.

Because back pain can be such a debilitating problem, it is very important to maintain a healthy spine. Easy preventative care measures, such as maintaining good posture, lifting and bending properly, and not smoking can have a vast impact on a healthy spine, and a person’s overall wellbeing.

Standing Still

When standing still, it is important to keep legs parted with one front marginally in front of the other, while maintaining knees slightly bent. This position will allow pressure to be taken off of the back. Do not stand in the same position for a very long time, as muscles will fatigue which can aggravate the spine.

Heavy Lifting

Avoid heavy lifting. If you must lift, bend at the knees, not at the waist. Also, avoid rotating at the hips when lifting. If you must lift heavy items, get someone to help you.

Sitting Down

While sitting, maintain good posture. Don’t, slouch. Develop a comfortable schedule for getting up and stretching. While sitting, keep knees higher than your hips.

Sleep Positions

It is better on your spine to sleep on your stomach. There is way less pressure in that position. If lying on your back, put a pillow under your knees to reduce pressure, if on your side, the pillow should be between your knees.

Don’t Smoke

Smoking can be the cause of spine pain as it restricts the flow of blood to the spine. Smoking weakens the spine.

Although there is no guarantee that following these suggestions will keep you free of back pain, if adhered to properly, they can greatly reduce the likelihood of developing chronic pain.