If you’ve neglected to take proper care of your back, you may need to receive spinal care treatment from a medical professional such as a physical therapist. Signs of that neglect include pain, stiffness, soreness, trouble standing, trouble walking, and tingling in your legs. Here are the top four tips for exemplary spinal care.
Stretch
Stretching your back muscles releases tension in them, which alleviates pressure on your spine. Tension in those muscles can worsen pain from any back problem. Stretching can improve your mobility and your range of motion. For example, if you stand upright with your knees slightly flexed and bend over to touch your toes, as time goes on, you’ll be able to touch them.
Stretching can also prevent disabilities caused by back pain. By reducing the pain from the start, you’re avoiding bigger problems down the road. Don’t just stretch your back. Stretch everything attached to it, including your shoulders, hips, glutes, and hamstrings to get the best results.
Strengthen
When you strengthen your back muscles, you’re strengthening the inner corset that supports your vertebrae, facet joints, discs, and ligaments. When your back muscles are too weak, they can’t support your back the right way. You’re at risk of straining the soft tissues in your back: tendons, ligaments, and muscles.
The best physical therapy in Oklahoma City can help you strengthen your back properly without risking any damage you could unwittingly cause if you tried to do it on your own — especially if you already have an existing back problem.
Maintain Healthy Weight and Try Yoga
If you stay at a healthy weight, you’re putting less strain on your spine than if you’re overweight. If you’re 100 lbs overweight, that’s like carrying a teenager around with you, one that you can’t put down. For every four pounds you lose, you’re reducing the weight on your spine by 16 pounds.
Weight carried around your midsection is especially rough on your lower back, since it pulls your pelvis forward, putting strain on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons of your lower back. When the discs in your spine are subjected to extra weight, they can compress and herniate.
Yoga is a great way to both stretch and strengthen your back. Your instructor can help you get into the right position for each pose so you aren’t causing yourself unnecessary pain or strain. There are also many websites and YouTube channels where you can watch the poses being performed so you can learn yoga in the comfort of your own home.
Some poses that are especially helpful for back pain are Cat-Cow, Extended Triangle, Sphinx, Downward-Facing Dog, Bridge, Locust, Half Lord of the Fishes, Two-Knee Spinal Twist, and Child’s pose.
Why Neglecting Your Spinal Care Can Be Harmful
If you neglect your spinal care, you could wind up in severe pain for the rest of your life. Nobody wants that, especially not the physical therapists in Pauls Valley. They don’t want you to have compressed or ruptured discs, torn muscles or ligaments, or any of the other issues that arise from neglected spinal care.
If you take care of your back, it will take care of you, keeping you going strong for as long as you live. Proper spinal care is crucial for your continued good health.
