At the Stridewell Same-Day Spine Clinic, our highly-trained spine specialists are firm believers in patient education, as the right tools can empower you to keep pain minimized and under control. In order to experience greater comfort and to relieve spine-related pain, try out these helpful tips…
Limit Total Sitting Time… It is important to be mindful of the fact that the discs in your lower back carry more load while sitting than standing. Many people are not aware of this! Therefore, long periods of sitting down can worsen a painful back condition in some or provoke a spine condition in others. Remember, our spine was designed to move and stay healthy, and movement fuels the spine with healthy nutrients.
Relaxation… Different people relax in different ways. To control pain, it is important to find relaxation techniques that work for you, as aside from the mind-body connection, tense muscles can lead to pain. The good news is that you have numerous options. From meditation to deep breathing, going for a leisurely stroll in the park, or taking a bubble bath – simply find what it is that works for you and be sure to take time to relax regularly.
Practice Good Posture… While enjoying your day, be mindful of keeping your spine naturally aligned. Do not slouch while sitting or standing. If you have a job that requires you to sit for many hours at a desk, be sure that you have an ergonomic office chair to support your spine. If sitting for prolonged periods of time, remember to stretch and take walking breaks throughout the day. You could also consider working from a standup desk for a portion of the day and alternate between your sitting desk and standing desk.
Support Your Spine At Rest… Are you supporting your spine at rest and while being active? Bear in mind that when you are lying down, every single structure in your spine that has been working hard to support your body during the day now has time to unwind and even repair itself! However, in order for your sleep to be restful and rejuvenate your body, your mattress and pillows need to properly support your spine! To this point, do remember that the majority of people will benefit the most from a firm or medium-firm mattress. Old, overused, and soft mattresses are often times not supportive, cause the spine to bend unnaturally, and put undue stress on the spine. If you believe your sleeping conditions could be contributing to your back pain or are keeping you from getting rejuvenating sleep, it is very important to make changes. Your spine health depends on quality rest and adequate support!
Support Your Spine While Active… Is your spine supported while you’re active, exercising, or just getting from place to place? The answer to this question largely depends on your footwear. A good, supportive shoe is selected not based on style, but on how well it provides a supportive base and helps the spine and body remain in alignment. Further, a good shoe must fit properly and prevent both pronation and supination. If you have a history of selecting the wrong shoe or not getting the right size, be sure to go to a store which specializes in supportive footwear and have a fitting specialist assist you with your selection.
Simple choices sometimes make a significant difference in your health and well-being. When in doubt, come in for a consultation with our Spine Specialists. They will ensure that your everyday decisions and lifestyle choices are helping to keep your spine healthy and happy! Stridewell Tips
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