Is Your Back Raising Questions? See Your Chiropractor
By Sandy Schroeder
If you finish the day with an aching back, or get up with nagging stiffness in the morning, your back may be trying to get your attention.
Most of us ignore small twinges of pain as we power ahead, using hot showers or over-the-counter pain medication to muffle pain. Often we succeed, but this may be a crucial time to see your chiropractor to get a grip on the problem.
Seeing Your Chiropractor
The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you helps people of all ages find pain relief and learn preventive measures. The Joint chiropractors can help you learn what it takes to keep your back healthy.
The spine houses the central nervous system that serves as command central for the body. It makes everything happen as we bend, twist and lope through the day. When communication breaks down, a gentle targeted spinal adjustment may relieve pain without medications or surgery, facilitating movement and supplying new energy and alertness.
Often, weekly 15-minute adjustments keep the benefits flowing. As your chiropractor monitors your progress, you can learn more ways to avoid back pain and stay healthy with tips like these from Harvard Health.
Check Your Slouch
Hunching over keyboards, tablets and phones in long work sessions invites back pain and headaches. Your chiropractor can evaluate your posture and suggest good stretching exercises to reverse the process.
Ease the Pressure
When you sit, your spine absorbs 40 percent more pressure than it does standing. Consider using an adjustable platform to use as a standing workplace as an additional option, and review your schedule to see how you can break up sitting time. When you are sitting, make sure your chair provides good back support, and your feet are flat on the floor. Monitors should be positioned at eye level.
Don’t Smoke, and Lose Weight
Excess weight and the toxic effects of smoke on the pathways that deliver nutrients to the spine can seriously challenge your spinal health. Do whatever it takes to eliminate tobacco, and eat healthier.
Lighten Totes and Lift Carefully
Strip all of the extras out of your totes and keep weight distributed on both shoulders. Never carry more than 10 percent of body weight in a backpack or a tote. When you lift, use your legs for power and never twist. Keep all objects close to the body and avoid bending from the waist.
Moving is a Must
Sit less at work and at home. Get outdoors and get moving. Take early morning walks, walk after lunch, and head outside for stretching exercises in the afternoon. Stay active on the weekends with sports, camping, hiking or biking. As you move more, your back will feel better, and so will you.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Columbus, Ga.