Spinal Disc Health 101: The Proven Benefits of Proactive Care

“Move it or lose it!”

I'm not sure where that came from, but it wouldn't surprise me if the person who came up with the phrase was a chiropractor, considering the health of the spinal discs and preventative maintenance.

Really, it seems like a lot of us simply aren't aware that mobility may and frequently is the best treatment for the spine!

Did you know that a decent blood flow to and through our spinal discs is actually insufficient to maintain their health?

Movement, yes, movement, is what actually fuels the absorption of the essential nutrients, oxygen, and fluids that our discs require to keep their ideal structure.

Bottom Line:

No one has time for back discomfort, we've said it before and we'll say it again.

A nagging, persistent, apparently ever-growing ache in or near your spine, the core part of your body that supports you while allowing you to bend, twist, and move, after all, is one of the few things that can render you immobile.

Your spine's intervertebral discs, which are small but formidable, absorb stress from gravity, your posture, and your movement patterns every day.

Your discs may have gradual wear and tear as a result of this stress, which could become painful if untreated.

Perhaps that’s why another chiropractor coined the saying “You’re only as old as your spine.”

Being the go-to chiropractor for herniated discs in Austin, Texas, we undoubtedly use it regularly.

You can prevent back discomfort with a sturdy spine supported by strong spinal discs.

The good news is that preventive care and spinal disc health go hand in hand.

Starting right now, there are a few essential ways for you to maintain the health of your discs in the comfort of your own home.

Why it Matters:

Unsurprisingly, the best approaches to promote spinal disc health and preventive care involve movement and exercise.

There is really no wrong way to make sure you move every day, but you should try to move as efficiently as possible.

You don't want to switch from one sort of back pain to another, after all!

Spinal Disc Health and Proactive Care

Try to be active every day, rotate your spine through all of its possible positions, and, as usual, avoid sitting for long periods of time.

If you must sit for an extended amount of time, attempt to switch positions every 15 minutes. Bring in a standing desk if you must spend a lot of time at a computer and have the option.

These simple actions can aid in strengthening the little muscles that support your spine and reducing stress on your discs, both of which are crucial for disc health.

Also, when it comes to spinal disc health and proactive care, something we feel the need to stress based on what we’ve seen first-hand as the go-to local chiropractor for herniated discs in Austin, Texas is to always, always mind your posture. 

The combination of inactivity and long periods in an unbalanced posture can wreak havoc on your spinal discs. 

Here are a few other easy adjustments you can make to proactively protect your discs: 

• Practice safe lifting. Improperly lifting any object of any size places undue stress on your spine. Remember to avoid bending while lifting, to use your legs rather than your back, to use a buddy when needed, and to always try to hold items close to your body.
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• Exercise consistently. In addition to getting that daily dose of movement, incorporating exercises designed to improve the strength and flexibility of the muscles in your core and back that support the spine can make all the difference to your spinal health.
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• Rethink your sleeping position. On top of minding what we’ll call your daytime posture, it’s important to do the same when you sleep. Aim to avoid sleeping on your stomach and make sure to replace old or worn out mattresses when needed.
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• Rethink your shoes. High-heeled shoes in particular can make it harder to maintain proper posture.
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• De-stress regularly. Be sure to find time to relax and unwind so the stress of the day doesn’t turn into physical tension in your neck, shoulders, and back. 

Next Steps: 

Keeping your spinal discs healthy is one of the best things you can do to lower your risk of developing neck or back discomfort, as you can probably infer from that list.

You should take proactive measures to reduce stress if you work long hours at the computer.

The above-mentioned methods are a wonderful place to start when it comes to proactive treatment and spinal disc health.

If you're searching for a chiropractor in Austin, Texas for herniated discs, keeping up with those adjustments and frequently checking in with our knowledgeable staff is even better.

And get this. Adjustments are actually a great way to help your muscles relax.

The nerves in a muscle respond to rapid stretching by causing the muscle to relax. Any fast stretch is prevented from ripping the muscles by this reflex.

The same nerve impulses that cause the muscles to relax are activated during a chiropractic adjustment, which does not reach nearly far enough to run the risk of tearing muscles.

Therefore, we hope you'll call us whether it's been a while since your previous adjustment or you're ready for your first one.

For years to come, we'd be pleased to collaborate with you to maintain the health of your spinal discs!

Science Source: 

Disc Changes Associated with Prolonged Sitting. PMR. 2014.