Your spine holds everything together in the body! So it goes without saying that taking care of it should be one of your main health priorities. In this article we provide some top tips on how to keep your spine in tip-top shape.
The good news is that in many cases, the wellbeing of your spine and health is in your own hands; it’s simply a case of changing lifestyle habits and committing to regular stretching and strengthening exercises.
The key to a healthy spine and, therefore, a healthy you, is the ‘P’ word: Posture.
Posture has been an overlooked factor in our health in the past. But research is now helping to raise awareness of the issues surrounding poor posture and explain why it is so important to make changes.
Younger people are now at an increased risk of having problems through the top of their neck and back because of the effects on posture of the modern lifestyle. Spending many hours each day sitting at a computer, staring at a mobile device or in front of a TV screen gradually causes a change to the curvature of the back. This can not only cause serious pain but also lead to more long term health problems.
If you’re reading this blog post on your tablet or another mobile device, why not take a second to consider the position of your own neck right now. Hold your tablet up to eye level and you can help to reduce the pressure on the joints and discs in your neck.
Modern life is also behind the increasing use of very heavy bags. As our lives have become busier, we tend to carry more and more things around with us on a day-to-day basis – this applies to schoolchildren as well.
How to prevent chronic problems as a result of lugging around heavy bags:
- Use a bag with lightweight material and multiple compartments to distribute the weight
- Pack only what you really need.
- Use both shoulder straps when carrying a rucksack.
- Alternate shoulders regularly to avoid strain.
- Ensure the rucksack sits above the waist to reduce pressure on the spine and nervous system.
- If you can’t pack light, then use two bags.
Great posture begins with the spine.
Kind Regards,
The SpineAlign Team
