From a young age, I knew that I wanted to be a chiropractic physician. I have dedicated my life to being a caring and effective chiropractor and helping my patients enjoy an improved quality of life.
That’s why, when patients ask me if they have to accept back pain as just a part of life, of course I say no. I’ve seen so many people's lives changed from chiropractic treatment.
There are some lifestyle habits you can address, as described here by my colleague Dr. Stephen Petrak, from the Petrak Family Chiropractic Center in Westchester, IL.
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Back pain affects millions of Americans each year. While back pain is often written off as “part of the aging process” or “unavoidable”, there are actually a lot of common, everyday habits that contribute to the prevalence of it. There are a lot of factors that go into someone’s health and the same goes for those that suffer from back and neck pain. But by breaking these habits — and it’s not always easy — you drastically decrease your odds of suffering from back pain in the future.
Slouching/Sedentary Lifestyle
Slouching is all-too-common, especially among those that work in office jobs. Sitting in front of a computer all day is uncomfortable. It’s an unavoidable fact. You’re bound to shift positions throughout the day and unfortunately, using a computer for 8+ hours every day will distract you as you shift into unhealthy positions without you even realizing it. Shoulders cocked forward, leaning in and head held forward — the worst possible position to work in all day. Experts estimate that for every inch you hold your head forward, you add an additional 10 pounds of weight for your spine to support. Over time, this wear and tear will cause lasting and serious damage. To stop slouching, there are a few steps you can take. First off, if you notice at work that you’re slouching, STOP. Sit up straight, feet flat on the ground and head held high while you work. Take frequent breaks to do some simple stretches and go for a walk. Once you’re off work, don’t continue to be sedentary! Go work out, go for a light jog, go for a walk. Get the blood flowing and stand up straight. And lastly, look into an ergonomic chair. Many manufacturers realize the importance of good posture and have created perfectly affordable chairs so you can sit comfortably without sacrificing your spine. Obesity Being overweight is one of the largest causes of back pain in Americans because it heavily restricts their movement. They lose flexibility and the ability to really bend the spine, which it needs to do in order to stay limber. Additionally, overweight people are less likely to exercise and are more likely in general to lead a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity contributes to joint and muscle stiffness, which can create weakness and fragility in the spine. Additionally, the spine is also responsible for carrying the majority of a person’s weight. Having excess weight in addition to a weakening spine creates a perfect storm for conditions such as osteoarthritis and degenerative disc disease.
So, to start improving your spinal health, it’s important to take care of other aspects of your body. People tend to forget that the body is all interconnected — by improving one thing, you improve other things too. Simply by eating healthier, quitting smoking and getting some exercise you’ll drastically improve your overall health and your spine will thank you! Lifting Improperly
Yes, working out and improving your overall health is important to your spine’s integrity. But don’t forget that you need to work out properly! Whether you work in general labor or go to a gym, know that lifting with your back is EXTREMELY unsafe and can lead to serious injury. To learn more about proper lifting techniques in any situation, let your legs do all the work.
Never Seeing A Chiropractor
Sure, you may say I’m biased, but the truth is unavoidable: chiropractic is the best drug-free, non-invasive and safest method of treating back pain, strengthening the spine and avoiding future injuries.