Are you tired of living with back pain? For some people, it seems like their pain worsens each morning. The severity of back pain can range from minor dull aches to sharp stabbing pains. You might struggle to stand for more than 10 minutes or walk long distances. However, regardless of what kind of back pain you’re dealing with or if you are looking to avoid back pain altogether, Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery can help.
Low-back pain is one of the most common and costly musculoskeletal problems worldwide. Studies indicate around 80% of the population will sometimes experience low-back pain. Fortunately, your back pain can be avoided and resolved by improving your spinal health with our osteopathic treatments.
Keep reading to learn more about how your spine’s health influences your back pain, and call our Victoria BC, or Burnaby, BC clinic to learn more about the benefits of osteopathic therapy for managing back pain.
The Importance of Spine Health for Preventing Back Pain
When we think of health, we typically focus on nutrition, exercise, and heart health. Still, it is important to know that your spine is essential for your overall health and well-being. Your spine protects your spinal cord, allows you to breathe correctly, and allows your body to move. Almost every function in your body is directly connected to the health of your spine.
You know how limiting it can be for those living with acute or chronic back pain. It’s essential to address the following to make sure your spine is at its optimum health:
- Proper posture
- Strong muscles (i.e., core, hip/pelvis, and lower back)
- Full mobility throughout the spine (i.e., bending forward and backward, rotating and side bending)
- Proper nutrition and adequate sleep
Steps to Improve Your Spinal Health
Our spine is a complicated structure of vertebrae, discs, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles, and nerves. It requires a delicate balance to ensure its peak health and function. Of course, like anything else, taking care of your spine health requires your participation.
At Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery, we take a multifaceted approach to spinal health, incorporating osteopathic manipulative treatment, self-management advice, and strengthening exercises to effectively address acute and chronic back pain. A comprehensive program where you do everything you can to ensure the health and function of your spine.
Below are ways to improve the health of your spine:
Get Adequate Sleep
Adequate rest in a comfortable position while sleeping helps you maintain a healthy spine. In general, the best position is a neutral spine position, which is achieved when the spine joints are properly aligned. You can use pillows and blankets to support your body in attaining these positions. A neutral position is easily found lying on either side of your back.
Regarding the ideal mattress, medium firmness helps more people get good rest than too soft or too firm. Although there are many anecdotal stories about the “best” firmness, research shows that it is a personal preference, and most people choose medium firmness for proper rest.
Maintain Proper Posture
Sit tall and use lumbar support when sitting at a desk or driving a car. Avoid sitting slouched for prolonged periods, and change positions as soon as you notice tightness or pain, no matter how you sit!
Maintain Mobility and Strength in Your Spine
Your body is meant to move–and movement is the main purpose of the spine. A general routine where you take your entire spine through various movements and positions (stretches) can help keep your spine healthy.
Stretching for as little as 10 minutes daily can ensure your spine remains mobile. Remember, it is also essential to move around when possible at work.
Strengthening is essential for the health of your spine; start by exercising 3-4 days a week. Core exercises will help keep your spine strong and prevent future pain and/or injuries.
When lifting, keep your spine in a neutral position and use your legs to lift the weight/object. Ideally, you will maintain an arch (lordosis) throughout the movement. Avoid bending forward, especially with twisting-type movements.
How Osteopathic Therapy at Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery Can Help You Have a Healthy Spine
Osteopathic therapists specialize in diagnosing and treating spinal disorders using various techniques to improve spinal health for your overall health and well-being. We can assess your spinal health and any joint pain or injury related to the functioning of your spine.
After asking you health-related questions and evaluating your body and movement abilities, we’ll determine what techniques would be the best fit for you.
We emphasize the importance of education to help you understand what is causing your pain and how to resolve it and may employ osteopathic manipulative treatment, manual therapy, and other highly effective treatments. We can also recommend specific exercises or other strategies you can perform at home.
Request an appointment today!
If you have been living with back pain or want to avoid potential back pain, don’t hesitate to contact Jenna Howe & Associates Osteopathy and Concussion Recovery today.
