A St George chiropractor can tell you what you need to do to avoid increasing your chance of developing pain in your neck and your back. This professional can give you valuable advice. It is recommended that you follow this advice without delay.
- Look at your phone at eye level. To avoid putting a tremendous amount of pressure on your backbone, don’t bend your head down when you look at your phone. Hold your phone out in front of you to avoid straining your neck as well as your back.
- Eliminate stiffness that typically develops overnight while you are sleeping by gently stretching for 5 minutes in the morning. Warm yourself up and improve your posture by stretching upon awakening. Stretching can also contribute to better performance by stimulating the flow of blood in your body.
- Don’t hurt yourself by cracking your neck. When done too often or incorrectly, neck cracking can pinch nerves, puncture blood vessels, strain your neck muscles and joints, and cause blood clots to develop. Frequent cracking can cause permanent damage and increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
- Treat a new injury with ice instead of heat. Ice can bring down the swelling and reduce inflammation and pain. Heat may worsen the problem.
- Bend your knees when lifting something, especially if you have injured your back, or your back needs to be adjusted or aligned. Bending from your knees instead of your waist when you lift something may help you avoid injuring yourself.
- Practice good posture. Be aware of your posture and know how you can improve it. Do not slump over or slouch down in your seat, and make sure your head isn’t protruding forward. Bad posture can lead to pain and permanent damage.
- Make sure you exercise and eat nutritious foods. Don’t gain extra pounds because the excess weight will strain your body and increase your heart disease risk. Exercise 30 minutes a day without interruptions if you can and include more raw foods in your diet. Eat a few little snacks during the day, and don’t eat close to bedtime.
- Try to avoid falling asleep in a position that may cause you to hurt your neck. Sleeping on your stomach with your head turned to one side can result in herniated discs. To protect your spine while sleeping, fall asleep lying on your back or side, and support your knees with a pillow.
- Don’t carry anything heavy. If you do, make sure the weight of the item is evenly distributed. Carry what you need to tote in a small bag that is light in weight or a lightweight backpack. Adjust the straps on the sides, so they are even.
Take note of your spine’s health and get help for any problems that can get worse or cause damage that cannot be reversed. The results of an injury may not appear for a while. Ease your mind by contacting us for an appointment now. Do not hesitate to call us.
