In between your visits to our office, there are a lot of things you can do to keep your body, especially your back, healthy. If this sounds familiar-well, we’ve been talking to your mother. It just so happens she was right.
- Sit up and stand up straight.
Develop the habit of good posture; it makes a world of difference in the way your spine feels. - Eat your fruits and vegetables.
A good diet is important to your overall health. All of those nutrients help your body repair itself. - Turn off the TV and exercise.
Get up and move. Go for a walk. Add exercise to your regular routine. When you have to sit for long periods, stretch regularly. Active people are healthier, smarter and happier. - Put that down.
Don’t lift things that are too heavy for you. If you have to, you know what they say-lift with your legs, not your back. Don’t carry around a backpack stuffed full of books, especially not on one shoulder, or a heavy bag if you can avoid it. The key is to minimize – only take what you really need. - Go to sleep.
Sleep is essential for your well-being. Don’t sleep on your stomach, which can strain the muscles in your neck and back. Practice sleeping on your side or back. - Drink more water.
The rule of thumb is to cut your weight in half and that is how many ounces of water per day you should drink. - Keep the weight off.
Those extra pounds are hard on your spine and your organs.