Patients who suffer from back pain and neck pain San Mateo and around the world often look for a way to reduce the immediate pain that they are feeling. Whether that pain is chronic or due to a recent accident, patients mostly want to rid themselves of pain and move forward with their lives, which makes sense. However, it also makes good sense for everyone to take preventive measures for good spine health.
With a more flexible spine, people have a better chance at avoiding strains, pulls and other problems that cause both acute short-term pain and chronic pain is sometimes acute but might also present as dull and constant. For people who want to try to stay healthy so they don't have to tend to injuries, there are many ways to maintain a healthy spine that wards off injury.
Below are a number of ways that everyone can keep a healthy spine.
• Participating in Regular Exercise. People who exercise regularly generally enjoy a better degree of good health than those who don't. Cardiovascular exercises that are ideal for good spinal health include a brisk walk, time on the elliptical machine, riding a bicycle or stationary bike, swimming or using a rowing machine. All of these heart-rate raising exercises can help increase spinal rotation, warming it up and keeping it limber. Additional exercises that are beneficial to good spinal health include yoga, Pilates, core work and some weightlifting.
• Choosing Shoes Carefully. Anyone who is prone to experiencing back, neck or leg pain should carefully choose their shoes. Comfort should win out over style. Many stores, particularly local running stores, offer free gait analyses. Those with back problems might visit these stores or find a shoe buying guide for walkers.
• Buying a Quality Mattress to Support the Spine. While choosing a mattress is largely a matter of personal preference, people with back and neck pain should take special care when shopping for a new sleep support system. Finding something that is both comfortable and supportive is the goal. This shopping expedition will require some trial and error for customers. They will need to test each mattress to help decide if they imagine themselves having a good night's sleep on it.
• Practicing Good Posture. Many people practice poor posture, particularly while sitting. While humans sit, the discs in the lower back take on more pressure than while standing, so sitting straight helps relieve some of that pressure. Keeping knees slightly higher than hips and holding the head high is a good rule of thumb for good seated posture.
