July 27, 2017 • Written by Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates

Spine Health Tips

If the spine wasn’t an important part of your body, there wouldn’t be a saying to express something of priority as “the backbone.” Keeping your backbone healthy is important to your overall health and wellness. Back pain is a common reason people come to see us at Peninsula Orthopaedic Associates, but there are things you can do in your everyday life to make sure your spine is healthy and pain-free.

• Sleep properly – Sleeping in the right position is crucial to your spine health. Sleeping on your stomach puts a lot of pressure on your spine; sleep on your side to ease that pressure. If you sleep on your back, place a pillow under your knees to relieve pressure. Invest in a supportive mattress and pillows that allow your spine to rest in a comfortable and aligned way.
• Exercise – Movement is great for spine health, whether it’s range of motion, strengthening or aerobic! Stretching and bending keep your spine from getting stiff and strengthening exercises (especially core work) help the muscles around the spine be supportive. Also, with exercise comes weight loss, which decreases stress on the spine.
• Work on your posture – Don’t slouch. Standing and sitting tall can prevent a lot of back pain, keeping your spine balanced and aligned. Choose an ergonomic chair for the office and take breaks every hour to walk around and stretch out.