Your spine is the foundation of your body. It is responsible for providing support, stability, and mobility to you, each and every day. Thus, a healthy spine is crucial for maintaining an active and pain-free lifestyle. At MidAmerica Orthopaedics, we understand the importance of a healthy spine, and we know how to help you achieve a better quality of life through spine health.

We strive to take a patient-friendly approach to spine treatments through our Minimally-Invasive Spine Clinic, keeping your recovery times down and your quality of life up. Here is a list of three easy things you should do to keep your spine healthy:

1. Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is essential for maintaining a healthy spine. Engaging in physical activity helps to keep your spine flexible and strong. Exercise also helps to improve circulation and reduce inflammation in the spine.

There are many types of exercise that will help your spine. Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, and yoga are excellent choices for keeping your spine healthy. These exercises help to strengthen the muscles that support your spine while minimizing the impact on your joints.

Resistance training is another excellent option for maintaining a healthy spine. Strength training exercises like squats, deadlifts, and lunges help to build strong muscles in your legs, hips, and back. These muscles are essential for maintaining good posture and supporting your spine. Experiencing pain? Visit our clinic and be treated by one of our fellowship-trained spine specialists such as Dr. Gurpal Mannu.

2. Maintain Strong Posture

If your posture is poor, chances are your spine health is poor. Bad posture can put extra stress on your spine, leading to pain and discomfort. When sitting or standing, it's important to keep your spine in a neutral position. This means keeping your shoulders back, your chin tucked in, and your back straight. It can be hard to keep this in mind as you’re sitting at a desk during your work day or driving your car or just watching TV at night, but if you practice good posture it will become more natural as time goes on, and your spine will thank you.

When sitting, it's important to keep your feet flat on the floor and avoid crossing your legs. Using a chair with good lumbar support can also help to maintain good posture. When standing, try to distribute your weight evenly on both feet and avoid leaning to one side.

3. Practice Good Ergonomics

Practicing good ergonomics is crucial for maintaining a healthy spine, especially if you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk. When working at a computer, it's important to make sure that your workstation is set up properly. This includes adjusting your chair height, monitor height, and keyboard position.

Using an ergonomic chair with good lumbar support can also help to maintain good posture and reduce stress on your spine. Taking breaks every hour to stretch and move around can also help to reduce stiffness and tension in your back. Also consider getting an adjustable standing desk if possible, to reduce the amount of hours per day you are sitting!

In addition to these three tips, it's also important to maintain a healthy weight, avoid smoking, and get plenty of restful sleep. All of these factors play a role in maintaining a healthy spine and reducing the risk of back pain.

At MidAmerica Orthopaedics, we are your trusted experts for all things spine health. If you're experiencing back pain or discomfort, our team can help. We offer a range of treatment options, including physical therapy, pain management, and minimally invasive spine surgery. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you maintain a healthy spine for life.