Almost every movement you make originates from your spine. Quite literally, your spine is the backbone of your ability to move️, sleep and properly function 💪. The health of your musculoskeletal system, which your spine forms a large part of, works together to support the production of blood cells, your internal organs, heat generation, and blood circulation. This is why taking care of your spine every day is so important! 

Without a healthy spine, you can sometimes experience pain, discomfort, and poor mobility 😞. Here are our top tips ✔ for how you can maintain the health of your spine every day.   

Focus On Exercise That Stretches And Strengthens

Whilst regular exercise is a fantastic way to keep your spine healthy, it’s important to keep in mind that exercise can actually put strain on your back. Incorrectly lifting heavy weights 🏋️‍️ at the gym, for example, can do more damage than good. 

If you’re looking to modify your exercise regimen, try one that includes plenty of stretching that helps to loosen the muscles, tendons, and connective tissue surrounding your spine. It’s also a good idea to choose exercises that strengthen the muscles that support your spine, particularly your core. 

If you’re not someone who exercises often, start out with these simple stretches.

Evaluate Your Sitting Posture

For many of us, sitting 🪑 for most of our waking hours is quite common. Whether it be spending long hours behind a desk 💻 or driving 🚘, staying seated for long periods of time puts a lot of strain on your spine (not to mention that it’s not very good for your overall health either).  

Not only does your posture affect just about every function within your body, but it also has an impact on the health of your spine and your musculoskeletal system. Practising good posture is an excellent way to support your spine every day. 

Take A Walk

Other than the types of exercise mentioned above, walking 🚶‍️ is a fantastic way to support and care for your spine. Believe it or not, a light stroll may even help to alleviate any back pain or discomfort you may be experiencing. 

Walking strengthens your all-important core muscles, nourishes your spinal soft tissues, increases flexibility, improves your balance, and promotes a healthy bone structure 🙌. 

If taking regular walks is not part of your current routine, we recommend that you start small with an eight to ten minute walk each day. You can build up the length and pace of your walking each week. 

Choose The Right Pillow

Because we do spend a fair portion of our day asleep 🛌, it’s important that your spine is fully supported and cared for during this time. When you’re asleep, your spine and its surrounding muscles get to completely relax ☺. This is also the time when your spine heals and rejuvenates itself.  

We each have our preferences when it comes to the positions we sleep in. It’s essential, though, that you choose the right pillow to complement the sleeping position you find most comfortable.  

If you predominantly sleep on your side, a thicker pillow will ensure your neck and head are positioned in the middle of your shoulders. If you prefer sleeping on your back, use a medium thickness or flat pillow so that your neck is not propped up too high. And lastly, if you’re a tummy sleeper, go for the softest pillow you can find. 

You can protect and support your spine in many ways each day, whether it be through the physical activity you do, or doing less of something that may damage your spine. Many of the choices you make in your daily routine can truly impact the health of your spine – be sure to make the right ones! 

We’d love to chat with you more about how to keep your spine healthy as well as the treatments we offer that can supplement your efforts to support your spine. Give us a call on 01245 699 152, email us at admin@inspiredhealthchiropractic.com, or tap the button below 👇. Also make sure you keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 of Ways to support your spine when it drops next month!