The health and alignment of our spine greatly impacts other parts of the body and our overall health in general. The spine helps to keep the body upright, and also works to protect the central nervous system. This is why it’s so incredibly important to take good care of our spine. Misalignments in the spine can lead to headaches, back, neck, and knee pain, foot conditions, overuse syndromes, and fatigue, to name a few.
Keep reading below for a mini guide of five life hacks that will help you improve your overall posture by strengthening and straightening your spine. Even better, these hacks can be easily applied to our everyday lives.
1. Stretch, before you do anything else
With our crazy, hectic lives and schedules, making excuses has become just another part of our normal routine. Something like stretching is likely the first thing to fall off your mandatory to-do list. But dedicating a few minutes each morning to a basic routine can make a big impact on how your day goes and how your spine feels further down the road too.
Gentle stretching in the morning is also a great way to wake up. After all, you’ve been on your back all night — hopefully for at least 7 to 9 hours — so your body is craving some movement. Start with a few easy shoulder rolls, and then move on to toe touches, followed by standing forward bends. End your quick routine with a full overhead stretch.
2. Disconnect more often
To say that we’re hooked on our smartphones would be an understatement: A recent study found that the average person looks, taps, swipes, or clicks more than 2,617 times per day! What’s more, this downward motion can cause up to 60 pounds of excess weight on the cervical spine.
The mere thought of disconnecting and putting your phone down may cause some panic, especially if you’re always receiving calls and messages for work or are on the lookout for one of your kids to text you. But putting your smartphone in timeout for a few minutes each day can make a difference.
Start slowly, like vowing to not check it during commuting hours or not pick it up while you’re running on the treadmill. Enlist some of your family members to do the same, and have a “no phone policy” during dinner. Each time that you don’t pick up your phone is another chance for your spine to reconnect.
3. Take a look at what’s on your feet
It starts from the ground up. Your feet are the base for your entire body. Wearing loose or improperly fitted shoes can cause havoc on your lower back and spine.
And don’t just think about what shoes you wear outside of the house. Consider what you keep on your feet when you’re inside too. Socks and slippers may be cozy on cold floors in the wintertime, but more supportive indoor shoes, such as those with non-slip rubber soles or bottoms, may be more beneficial for you.
So while getting rid of your fancy red heels, those cute summer flip-flops, or even an old familiar pair of running shoes may cause some immediate distress, think of what a new pair of supportive shoes may really do for you.
Some Trusted Source studies show that investing in custom orthotics may also be a good idea. Ask your doctor or make an appointment with a podiatrist to discuss which options may be best for you and your spine.
4. Think before you sit
It’s no secret that we spend the majority of our days sitting. From driving to work to sitting in meetings to grabbing lunch with friends to unwinding in front of the TV, sitting has become our natural tendency. Breaking this habit can be challenging, but setting a reminder on your smartphone may give you the nudge to get up more frequently throughout the day.
Not only does how long we sit impact our spinal health, but how we sit impacts it too. Here are some pointers and reminders for good sitting posture:
- Keep your back pressed up against the chair, with your lower back all the way to the chair crease.
- Make sure your weight is distributed evenly and you’re not leaning or slouching to one side.
- Keep your feet flat on the floor and avoid crossing your legs.
5. Practice deep breathing
How often do you notice your breath? Unless you’re a devout yogi or meditator, the answer is probably rarely. How deeply you breathe and how straight your spine stands are more connected than you might think. When you’re sitting or slouching, your diaphragm is constricted. This puts pressure on your chest as you inhale and exhale. But when you’re standing, you’re able to breathe through the diaphragm, lengthening and expanding the spine and allowing the upper and lower back to expand.
Deeper breathing is important for not only your spine, but also your overall well-being. Research shows that it can help you feel more relaxed, reduce stress, and focus on the positive things in life. So go ahead and give it a try: Inhale, hold, and then exhale.
Seeing a Chiropractor
You can also decide to see a health professional if you need help with spinal realignment, and to promote long term wellness. A chiropractor is a type of professional that specializes in both the musculoskeletal and nervous systems, including the spine.
You will likely notice improvements in your overall alignment, mobility and function after undergoing chiropractic treatments.
In addition to treatments, a chiropractic session includes learning mobility exercises, functional movements, and nutritional healthy lifestyle advice related to your spine, joints, and muscles. Chiropractors are also able to prescribe custom orthotics from a broad bio-mechanical perspective of foot, ankle, knee, hip function and how this affects the spine.
Now that you have learned about the hacks that you can use to improve your spinal health, you can start taking action so you’re on the path to wellness!
Please note that any advice in this article doesn’t replace personalized medical advice from a professional.
If you would like to book one of our experienced chiropractors, please send an email info@evolvevancouver.ca