Caring For Your Spine: Tips For Health
Caring for your spine — is it something that you do? Is your spine a part of your body that you give much thought and attention to or do you often neglect it? Neglecting spine health now can lead to problems as we age, including stenosis, degeneration, compression, arthritis and accompanying pain.
Our spine is comprised of 33 vertebrae that are stacked, one on top of the other. Each vertebra is referred to by number. The spine is often also referred to as being divided into the following five regions:
- Cervical (neck)
- Thoracic (middle back)
- Lumbar (lower back)
- Sacrum
- Coccyx
In addition to vertebrae, the spine is comprised of numerous other components including discs, fat, blood vessels, joints, nerves as well as supporting muscles, ligaments and tendons. Of course, in the center of it all is the spinal cord.
Why The Spine Is So Important
In addition to your spine being the main support in your body, it is also a main channel for nervous system communication in your body. Your spine allows you to move, bend, twist and in general, be mobile.
What Happens To Our Spine As We Age
As we age, some decline in function and deterioration of the spine is to be expected. Spinal discs may begin to deteriorate and the spinal canal may be begin to narrow as we age.
The younger you are when you begin to practice good spine care, the better. Paying attention to and taking care of your spine can help you avoid problems in older age, such as: osteoarthritis, disc degeneration and more.
Caring For Your Spine: Tips For Health
Following these tips will help you keep your spine healthy and prevent the onset of back and spine problems.
- Maintain good posture, not only walking, but sitting and sleeping as well
- Walk or exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Low impact exercises or water aerobics
- Massage and chiropractic care
- Strengthen your core
- Practice safe lifting techniques
- Stretch
- Proper hydration
Incorporating regular chiropractic care into your health and wellness routine will help you maintain a happy and healthy spine for many years to come.
If you need help caring for your spine, our chiropractic doctors and physical therapists at Fusion Rehab in Arizona are here to help. Contact us to schedule your chiropractic adjustment and begin taking better care of your spine today.