Love Your Spine This Valentine's Day!

Published February 13th, 2018 by Dr. Markson

Valentine’s Day is here, and we are feeling the love! Usually, we spend this day showering our significant others with love, affection, gifts, cards, and candy. In fact, millions and millions of dollars are spent on Valentine's Day in the U.S. But this year, we are doing things a little bit differently. We challenge you to show your spine the love it deserves! Here are a few suggestions:

Sit with Proper Posture. Sitting is something many of us spend the majority of our day doing. But are you paying attention to how you're sitting? If you've got poor posture, you could be putting a great deal of stress on your lower back. Try to sit with your shoulders back and with a straight spine. Distribute your body weight evenly on both hips. Your knees should be at a right angle and your feet flat on the floor. This will reduce the strain put on your low back.
Sleep with Proper Posture. Proper posture isn't limited to sitting! When the body is sleeping, it uses that time to recharge itself from a busy day. Sleeping with proper posture will help to maximize your body’s charging system. Try not to sleep on your stomach, as that can cause strain to your spine and neck. If needed, use support pillows for your neck and lower back to encourage proper posture.
Increase Core Strength. A strong core helps remove some of the stress from your back. You can find a list of exercises to improve your core muscles through The Mayo Clinic.
Weight Management. A few extra pounds might not seem like such a big deal, but those added pounds sure can lead to a whole lot of stress on your spine. By keeping an eye on your weight, you can help your spine support your body with less effort.
Stretch. The first thing I do each morning is take a few minutes to stretch. This helps me get my day off to a great start. It is also incredibly important to stretch before exercising, as it is good for the muscles and helps warm them up. Stretching keeps your muscles flexible and reduces the risk of sports related injuries. Stretching your back can also help soothe and manage your back pain.