According to our Fareham chiropractor at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic, many people only start thinking of the importance of their spine when they experience back or neck pain. However, back pain is only one of the things that is caused by an unhealthy spine.
So why is spinal care so important? Let’s look at how your spine affects your overall health and what you can do to keep it healthy.
Why is it important to keep your spine healthy?
Your spine is responsible for many of your body’s crucial roles, including controlling movement, providing support for your head, and protecting your central nervous system. Think about it; there are numerous ligaments, muscles, and tendons within your spine – each of them connected to all the parts of your body and each of them controlling the functioning of your cells, organs and tissues. If there are any changes in the structure of your spine or its ability to properly function, your central nervous system can become irritated and damaged.
Your spine is the protector of your central nervous system; a complicated network that is involved in the functioning of every system in your body. As a result, your spine has a very important role in your overall health and wellbeing. For example, a healthy spine can enable your immune system to function more efficiently, so that you are able to fight off germs and respond effectively to toxins. It’s simple really; look after your spine and it will look after you!
Now that you know just how vital your spine health is, here are some handy tips from our Fareham chiropractor to keep your back (and as a result, your wellbeing) in tip-top condition:
Lift Properly
Twisting or bending the wrong way can cause damage to your spine. To lift correctly, our chiropractor recommends:
- Standing as close to the object as possible
- Using your legs instead of your upper body or back to pull items up. (An easy way to do this is to bend your knees so that your arms are at the same height as the object.)
- Making sure your back is straight when lifting
- Avoiding lifting things that are too heavy
Sleep Well
To keep stress and pressure from your muscles and ligaments during the night, it’s important to use the right pillow and mattress. Our Fareham chiropractor’s advice is to choose a mattress and pillow that promote proper neck alignment. It is also a good idea to try sleeping on your side instead of your stomach to avoid excess pressure on your back.
Watch Your Posture
Did you know that the discs in your lower back are put under three times more pressure when sitting compared to when you are standing? What’s more worrying is that many people tend to slouch and lean forward while sitting down which causes even more muscle tension. The answer is simple; sit up straight.
Visit a Chiropractor
Chiropractors are not only there to help with back pain; they are specially trained professionals who focus on treating the spine and musculoskeletal system. A reputable chiropractor can help to keep your spine healthy through manual adjustment, exercise, education and other treatments as and when needed.
We hope the advice in this post shows that it is not difficult to maintain good spinal health. By following the advice of our Fareham chiropractor, you can minimise the risk of back pain and improve your overall health.
Remember that your spine is responsible for many functions in your body, but you are responsible for your spine. Give it the gift of good health.
Our experienced team of chiropractors at Homewood Chiropractic Clinic in Fareham are here to help you keep your spine healthy. If you are suffering back pain or are seeking advice about your back then why not visit one of our team. Call us on 01329 280 283 to book an appointment.