As we’ve mentioned time and time again, everything in the body is connected. An imbalance in the foot or ankle will eventually cause pain up toward the hips, possibly the neck and spine. There is no one area in the body that will suffer exclusively. It is only a matter of time before the rest of the body begins to follow suit. So, what exactly are the benefits of a healthy spine aside from keeping the rest of the body in integrity? Below you can find the main reasons why a healthy spine and back are so important for people of all ages to maintain.

Nervous System

  • The nervous system runs up and down the spine, and it sends ‘messages’ to the rest of the body. These messages can include knowing how to pick something up, noticing when someone touches you and more. All these neural sensations are being safe-havened in the spine. If the spine becomes injured, we put ourselves at risk for serious neural damage such as paralysis.

Range of Movement

  • Our back is responsible for a majority of our body’s ability to bend and twist. We have several planes of motion in the spine and without a healthy one, we would be pretty limited in our ability to move. The more and more we let our back weaken, the less able we will be to do simple movement such as pick something up or turning around in our chair to see who entered the room.

Proper Exercise

  • When done incorrectly, certain exercises can be detrimental to our back health over time. When done correctly, exercise can be a huge benefit to the health of our spine. Elongating the spine and building up the muscles that surround it will help protect our spine and nervous system, and therefore everything else in our body.

Posture

  • Generally, you can tell by looking at the way someone walks if they have a healthy back or not. When someone walks hunched over, or even just sits hunched over, you know that their back is aching for help – or alignment, that is. Our spine is responsible for holding our upper body upright, keeping our neck long and our back straight. When we continuously round in the back, the spine starts to lose its strength and ability to sit long and tall as it’s supposed to. With a constantly rounded, curved spine, you may prevent yourself from sleeping comfortably, exercising normally and you may even put yourself at risk for nerve damage.

To maintain a healthy spine, pick up these quick tips, below, for your daily regimen. For everything else, there’s Dr. Stover.

  • Stay hydrated
  • Exercise daily
  • Maintain an upright posture when standing, driving, sitting, etc.
  • Use your legs to lift objects, especially heavy ones, not your back
  • Avoid staring down at your phone or tablet for extended periods of time

To set up an appointment with Dr. Stover, call our office today!