Your spine is literally the core of your skeleton. It is the vital body part that keeps you standing erect and moving comfortably. Even a subtle injury to the spine can bring a host of problems that impact the quality of life. But spinal health is something that does not get attention until there is some major issue. What you really must know that spinal injuries are not just caused by accidents but can be attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and bad posture as well. So it is something that you can completely avoid if you have awareness. Before trying to understand the steps for managing your spinal health, you need to know why it matters so much in the first place. Let us share some key facts in this context.
Structural support
You may not really realize that something as simple as standing straight is a result of the complex structure of the bones and spine. The spine, in facts, offers the support that holds you up. It transfers the weight of the upper body to the pelvis, hips, and legs. It also provides support to the internal organs, muscles, and the rib cage and holds them all together.
Stability
Besides structural support, the spine also gives your body the stability it needs to work as a coordinated whole. You can imagine it as a highly articulated structure that is supported by strong postural muscles. The entire system makes you capable of being stable even while your limbs are moving actively. So if you are able to maintain your balance even while standing on one leg, you have to thank your spine for it.
Movement
While your spine plays a key role in ensuring stability, it also gets you moving. Unless you have a good spine function, you may experience issues related to locomotion. Moreover, the spine ensures coordination and control during movement, which keeps you safe from falls and injuries while you move.
Shock absorption
Another reason why you should give extra attention to your spinal health is that it helps your body with shock absorption. The natural curve of the spine allows you to walk and run without damaging your intervertebral discs. If your spine loses this natural curvature due to aging, injury or wrong posture, it will not be able to protect your entire skeletal system from external shocks.
Neurological integrity
Apart from ensuring good physical movement, the spine also ensures neurological integrity. The neurological signals that travel from the brain to the body traverse through the spinal cord. Effectively, it plays a vital role in your body’s ability to perceive the environment and react accordingly. The entire system is also responsible for regulating involuntary functions such as breathing, gut activity, bladder, and bowel.
Considering these vital functions of the spine, this is one body part that you cannot afford to ignore. As Dr. Chad Woolner from Align Meridian explains, the alignment of your spine is the number one pillar of function for your overall back health. Even a minor issue with it can lead to major physical and neurological problems. What’s more, it may affect your mobility, activity, and quality of life. Now that you understand the implications of the compromise of spinal function, you would obviously want to know how to keep it in great shape.
Lifestyle tips for a healthy spine
A majority of spinal issues are caused by poor posture and lack of activity. Therefore, making some lifestyle changes can actually be the best strategy to protect your spine health. Here are some key tips that you can follow for a healthy spine:
- Staying active is perhaps the easiest way to live healthily and helps to strengthen your spine as well. Make exercise a routine and include some stretching exercises to your workout routine. Such exercises bring flexibility and fortify your spine to make it capable of countering injuries and pressure of daily activities.
- Manage your weight because every extra pound you carry pressurizes your spine and lower back area. Keeping an eye on your diet and having an optimal exercise routine will be enough to limit your weight within the healthy range.
- Watch the way you lift heavy objects because using the wrong technique can damage your spine. If you need to carry something too heavy, get help instead of doing it alone.
- Make sure that you get a good night’s rest because it enables your spine to recuperate from the stress it faces all day. Sleeping on your side is recommended to prevent pressure on the spine. Use a supportive mattress and pillow that promotes proper alignment of the spine.
- Surprisingly, staying hydrated has a far-reaching impact on your spine as it maintains the fluidity in the joints and elasticity in soft tissue. Both these factors ensure that the spinal discs stay in good health and proper shape.
Treatment options for spinal health issues
Even a minor problem with your spine can have major implications. The pain can be excruciating and you may even lose your mobility. While pain killers may provide temporary relief, you cannot rely on them as a long term treatment option. This is because prolonged use of pain killers has serious side effects and their efficacy may decrease over time. Another option is spinal surgery but it is too aggressive for the early stages. The best way to deal with spinal health issues is physical therapy, which is safe, holistic and effective.
See a physical therapist even if you experience a minor issue or injury with your spine. Don’t ignore symptoms such as pain and discomfort in the back area. Timely and proper treatment can make all the difference in restoring your spinal health before things take a turn for the worse. A therapist with the right expertise and experience can diagnose the exact issue and devise a personalized treatment plan to get your spinal health back on track. What’s even better about this treatment option is the fact that the results are lasting. Moreover, a therapist can help you restore overall wellness in addition to maintaining your spinal health.