keeping yourself feeling good begins with your spine

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What are some of the things that someone can do to keep themselves feeling good and their spine healthy?

by Stam Bett, edited

A great percentage of the population deals with back pain and other pain associated with their spine. This pain also claims much of the money that is spent on medical care. There are many different things that contribute to the problem; genetics, poor physical condition, and improper lifting or hauling techniques. Let’s take a look at these one at a time and see if we can put off that emergency trip to the chiropractor.

If you look at your family tree, you may see similarities in the way they stand, or in the hunch of their back or in poor posture. All of these signs are indicative that back discomfort may be a genetic problem. While there is no cure for such things a chiropractor can help to keep your spine as straight and healthy as possible. He/she can also help you learn exercises and techniques that will allow your genetic predispositions to interfere with your life as little as possible.

With all of the advances of the electronic world many of us are not as physical as we used to be. We simply don’t “go out and play” like we did as kids, and it is not just because we are older now. Television, computers, and other electronics have made it easy for us to justify being less active. We are working, socializing, or enjoying our music with never leaving our easy chair. Add to this our time constraints and the fact that it is so darn easy to pull through the drive-up window and grab dinner or have that pizza delivered than it is to cook and eat a balanced and nutritious meal. These two factors have contributed to a break down in our muscles and on top of that, have added extra weight . . . both of which are very detrimental to our spines and the ability for them to do their job.

People seek out the attention of a chiropractor the most when they have injured their back due to lifting beyond the ability of their fitness level. When the pain is intense and you just can’t get any relief, the first person you want to call is someone who can make it stop hurting. Listen carefully when the doctor teaches you about proper lifting, turning or hauling, and put those techniques into practice faithfully. This added knowledge and protection may save you from having to see a chiropractor on an emergency basis, and instead only as a preventative visit.

While chiropractic care is good and necessary, like any other type of care it is important to see it as a package deal between treatment and prevention. Lose the weight, become fit, and use precautions when lifting or exercising to keep the expense of care low.