Bottom Line:
Nobody has time to deal with back pain!
Proactively doing things today to help your spinal discs stay healthy in the future is a smart idea.
Every day, your spinal discs absorb stress related to gravity, your posture, and your movement patterns. Over time, this stress can cause wear and tear to your discs that can become painful.
The good news? There are a few key ways you can keep your discs healthy… starting today!
Why it Matters:
Not surprisingly, movement and exercise are the top ways to keep your spinal discs healthy.
Each day try to move your spine through its full range of motion and be cautious about sitting for hours on end.
If you have to sit for long periods, try to change positions every 15 minutes. If you have to work at a computer for hours at a time and you have the option, bring in a standing desk. These small steps can help both reduce stress on your discs and engage the small muscles supporting your spine – both of which are essential for disc health.
Also, mind your posture. The combination of inactivity and long periods in an unbalanced posture can wreak havoc on your spinal discs.
Next Steps:
Keeping your spinal discs healthy is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing neck or back pain.
If you spend long hours at the computer especially, you need to take proactive steps to counteract that stress. Set a timer to get up and move around at least very 30 minutes. Stand up and squeeze your glutes as hard as you can and then sit back for work if that’s all you can spare. It will get your muscles moving and reset your pelvis under your low back.
There are so many missed opportunities in your daily routine to be proactive with this stuff. You just need to take a look at your routine, figure out the pockets of time to work this stuff in, and prioritize your health when you can. It’s the little things that add up to positive and negative events in your health, so be your own best advocate.
Stay Strong, Inspire Others!
Science Source(s):
Disc Changes Associated with Prolonged Sitting. PMR. 2014.