Support Your Spine!Start now, you can still save your spine!
This week I did my clinical rotation in a cath lab. A cath lab that also does a lot of interventional radiology, spinal stimulation and kyphoplasty.
Kyphoplasty is a surgical procedure that involves insertion of a balloon into your spine and then cementing portions of your vertebra together, a very cool procedure to watch, but trust me, you don't want to have it done if you don't have to!
The spine is one of the most important parts of your body. It hold you up, supports you, lets you go about your daily business. How do you treat it?
Think of your spine as a wife, to you, the husband (work with me here). She helps you, is always there with you, reminds you when you're getting tired ;) But, if you treat her poorly for years and years, she's gonna give up on you. So I'm writing to keep you off of the surgical table and help you restore your relationship with your spine.
This happens more commonly in women, because we already have trouble with bone density as we age. But whatever age you are it's never too early to start these practices to keep your spine healthy as you get older
1. Your mom has told you since you were little. Listen to her! Sit up straight! We often slouch over when we are at work or school and guess what, over time it sticks that way!
2. Lifting wrong is the fastest way to mess up your spine. I'm guilty of it too. There is no one around and I just need to move this very large item a few feet. DON'T DO IT! Get some help! Even if you are lifting light things in the wrong way you can damage your spine. So be careful and always be cautious of the alignment of your spine.
3. Build up your bone. Ladies, our bones are degenerating. Let's do something about it before it's too late! Older women may need to take a calcium supplement to maintain their bone density. Younger women start with drinking a glass of milk or adding calcium fortified products in your daily diet. You will be thankful for this later!
It is important to invest in your relationship with your spine now. If you take care of her, she will be with you for the rest of your life.
What other techniques do you use for spine health?
How many of you are already experiencing back pain?
Katie
I'm a nurse, hubby is a carpenter, we actually argue about who's back hurts worse.
ReplyDeleteRaise the bed up, ask for help, use lift equipment, stance feet, any of this sound familiar? :)
ok, sitting up straight now! all so true - I've had plenty of back problems to prove it. probably a lot of the whacking back bends in dance didn't help.
ReplyDeleteNo back pain here! I bend at the knees! :) I've also been focusing on strengthening my back during my workouts, so that's helping curb any potential problems.
ReplyDeleteI do see people at the gym that I want to lovingly correct, though. I see guys using HORRIBLE form on the bench press (usu. from trying to bench too much weight) and both guys and girls yanking on their necks during abdominal moves. I wish I could explain to them that with their poor technique, they are likely doing more harm than good. Yikes.