With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s more important now than ever, that we take a moment to share some love for one of the most important parts of our bodies – our spine!
Our spine supports our life every step of the way, keeping us upright during the good times and the bad. It never stops supporting you through thick and thin. Within your spine are numerous ligaments, muscles, and tendons that help to connect all the parts of your body, while also controlling the function of every cell, organ, and tissue. It’s safe to say, your spine is always there, not only protecting your central nervous system but helping to aid the coordination of your overall body movement day to day as well as supporting your head!
So why not share the love with your Spine this Valentine’s Day by doing these three things to keep it in tip-top shape!
Daily Stretching
Doing some stretches every day is a great way to keep your spine feeling healthy. Stretching helps to increase flexibility, reduce tension, and improve posture. It can also help to reduce back pain and discomfort. Stretching is good for the spine because it increases blood flow to the spinal tissues and increases the range of motion in the spine. Additionally, stretching can help to reduce stress on your back and improve overall posture!
When you stretch regularly, it can help to prevent the muscles from becoming tight and reduce the risk of strain or injury. Moreover, stretching greatly improves blood flow to the back – which can help to reduce inflammation and promote overall healing. If you have a sedentary job or spend a lot of time sitting, stretching can help to relieve tension in the muscles and prevent the development of back pain as you get older.
However, it is important to stretch correctly and not overstretch the spine. This is why it’s also best to start with gentle stretches and gradually increase the intensity as you become more comfortable. Make sure to contact your local ACA Chiropractor to ensure you are stretching safely and effectively and to work out a stretching plan that suits your needs.
You can also use our Straighten Up App which has some great tools and resources to show you how to stretch successfully to strengthen your spine. Best of all, the program only takes three minutes to complete! To get more information on the Australian Chiropractor Association’s Straighten Up app visit straightenup.org.au
Regular Exercise
Exercise is a beautiful thing and the best way to show your spine some love! You may not know, but regular exercise actually strengthens the muscles that support your spine, such as your abdominal and back muscles, which can help improve posture, flexibility, and balance. Regular exercise, such as swimming or yoga, can help improve the range of motion in your spine, reducing stiffness and the risk of injury. Exercise also increases blood circulation to the spine which helps to reduce inflammation and pain.
Regular exercise also helps to relieve any built-up tension and stress in the spine, which can be a common culprit of back pain! Not to mention, regular exercise reduces the risk of developing bad habits that can lead to spinal problems later in life. Finally, completing regular exercise greatly helps increase your circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the discs in your spine and helping to maintain their health!
It’s important to choose exercises that are appropriate for your fitness level and any existing spinal problems. You can work with your local ACA Chiropractor to develop a safe and effective exercise program!
Maintain Good Posture
One of the best ways to show your spine some love is to become more aware of your posture – especially when you’re working! Good posture is crucial for the health of your spine because it helps to distribute weight and stress evenly throughout your body, reducing the risk of injury and strain on your back. When you have good posture, your bones, and joints are aligned in a way that uses your muscles efficiently, reducing the amount of stress and strain on your spine. This can help reduce the risk of back pain, neck pain, and other spinal problems developing as we age.
Additionally, good posture can help improve circulation, breathing, and overall function, allowing you to work more efficiently and comfortably. Poor posture, on the other hand, can lead to a number of problems, from chronic neck and back pain, to injury, such as herniated discs or sprains, reduced mobility, decreased energy and general discomfort!
So, it’s important we work, sit and stand in a way that puts the least amount of strain on your spine. This means keeping your ears, shoulders, hips, and ankles in a straight line and avoiding slouching. By maintaining good posture when working, you can help reduce the risk of injury and strain on your spine, improve your overall health, and work more efficiently and comfortably.
So, there we have it, three great and important ways to shower your spine in the love it deserves this Valentine’s Day. You can get all these tips and more by consulting your local ACA chiropractor.
Find out more about chiropractic here or to find your local ACA chiropractor, visit findachiro.org.au
