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Life Hacks for A Healthy Back

Life hacks are all over social media. You can find so many tips on laundry, housecleaning, cooking, and just about everything else. So, today I am putting out a list of life hacks that will help keeping your spine healthy and strong!




Attention ladies: Forget the high heeled shoes. While they may make a fashion statement and make your legs look more appealing, wearing shoes with higher heels too frequently destabilizes the spine and actually cause back pain.  Opt for shoes with heels of comfort and cushion, with heels of one inch or less for best back protection.

Travel light!  When you leave home in the morning, take only the things you really need for the day.
Look through briefcases, backpacks, and handbags and eliminate things you don't really need to keep your load light. Over the long term,your spine will thank you for it.

Give up the cigarettes. Did you know that smoking restricts blood flow to the discs that cushion and support your back?  That might explain why smokers with back pain seem to suffer from more pain than their non smoking counterparts.  If you ever needed a good reason to quit, this might be it. Your wallet and your body will thank you for your efforts.

Optimize bone health.  Make sure you get enough calcium and vitamin D from your diet and supplements. This will increase bone density and help to decrease risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures.

If you are overweight, make a serious effort to get to a healthier weight. Those extra pounds put extra stress on your body, especially the spine. For most effective results, diet modification along with exercise is recommended.

Exercise can do wonders for maintaining a healthy spine or rehabilitating injury.  Always consult with an exercise professional if you're just getting started.  Your personal health situation will help to determine which exercises are best for your situation. Exercise helps increase the body's level of endorphins, which are naturally occurring "feel good" hormone.

Be mindful of good posture. Moms and teachers had it right when they told you not to slouch. By practicing good posture you are avoiding unnatural positions which can put undue stress on the spine, which in turn can lead to injury.

Practice good lifting technique when picking up heavy objects.  If something is too heavy for you, do not attempt to lift it.  When you need to lift an object of appropriate weight, it's important to remember to bend your knees and use your legs to the heavy work.  Here is a short video about this technique.

Sleeping is restorative; the importance of a good night's sleep cannot be emphasized enough. Make sure you have a nice firm mattress. Sleeping on your side takes a lot of pressure off the spine. You can also prop your knees with pillows for extra support.


Sources: WebMD; Pixabay; Everyday Pain Management Ideas

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