Your spine is literally the core of your ability to walk, sleep, and function normally. Simply put, your spine is the source of almost all movement, so it is important to prioritize the care of your cervical (upper) and lumbar (lower) spine.

Without a healthy spine, common chores and movements like sitting up straight, leaning over, picking up objects, walking, twisting, and rotating your neck can become incredibly difficult or painful. When the spine is injured, you can expect to have limited mobility. The inability to move regularly, without pain, can be a blow to your quality of life, therefore it's crucial to care about your spine health.

Your spine has three main functions:
  • Protecting the spinal cord and its nerve roots.
  • Providing structural support and balance to keep an upright posture.
  • Enabling flexible movement

The nervous system transmits electrical impulses through the spine, resulting in sensation. Sensory information such as pressure, touch, cold, temperature, pain, and sensations in the skin, muscles, joints, and internal organs start in the spine. A damaged spinal cord can disrupt neural responses, impairing feelings in certain areas of the body.

Tips for a Healthy Spine

  1. Exercise daily: Keep your level of fitness and stretch on a regular basis. Maintaining an active lifestyle can reduce your risk of developing low back discomfort. Aerobic movement, core strengthening, and stretching are all essential components of an effective workout routine. Stretching to maintain flexibility also promotes healthy joint function and range of motion, which improves spine health and lowers your total risk of injury.
  2. Get quality sleep at night: During sleep, your body heals itself. It is important to get enough sleep to allow for full healing. Also, consider sleeping on your side rather than on your stomach, as sleeping on your stomach puts additional strain on your spine. A supportive mattress and pillows that promote healthy spinal and neck alignment are also worth investing.
  3. Maintain a good posture: Long time spent sitting can cause strain on your back and muscles. Take a short break and engage in activities such as walking, stretching, or changing positions. It keeps your spine engaged and your muscles moving. Your desk and chair should be at the appropriate height to ensure that you are sitting properly. Your work screen should also be at the appropriate eye level. This will keep your posture aligned with your chair and make your workplace more effective.
  4. Use a Back support Cushion: One thing to consider if you have back pain is the backrest! If you sit for too long on your chair, use a seat cushion to support your lower back. You may also use wedge cushions to sit and work from your bed. Also, when working from a chair, use lumbar cushions. It aids in maintaining posture and preventing undue arching or bending of the spine. Sleepsia Lumbar Cushion is an ideal backrest for any chair or sofa. Its memory foam ensures that you sit smoothly and comfortably while resting your back on it. Its slim design makes it easy to transport and install in any chair or seat you like!
  5. Maintain a healthy weight: It is important to maintain a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI), which is a measure of body fat based on height and weight, lowers mechanical strain on spinal structures. So, in addition to your weight and BMI, maintaining your spine health requires a well-balanced diet and regular exercise.
  6. When lifting, use proper technique: If you don't use good form when lifting up large objects, you risk twisting the wrong way and damaging your spine. To lift appropriately, stand as near to the thing as possible and lift with your legs and knees, not your back and upper body. If the object is too heavy for you, seek help and do not attempt to lift it yourself.

Benefits of healthy spine

To support your spinal health, it is important to know the benefits of a healthy spine. The spine functions as a support for your head. The spine can help manage fast movement, which is necessary for protection and survival. The spine also supports the shoulder and frame of the body. A healthy spinal cord allows your body to move freely; a strong spine increases your range of motion. A spinal injury or poor posture may make it more difficult for you to walk, run, sit up straight, bend over, or rotate your neck.

To maintain your spine health, learn how to train your spine through regular workouts and stretches. Work the muscles that surround your spine to protect your body. Excessive strain should be avoided regardless of the kind of exercise. Consider yoga techniques such as downward dog, reverse bridge, cat, and cow poses. Sleeping in a back-supportive position will also relieve pain and stiffness in your torso.

Conclusion

To continue living a pain-free and productive life, it is important to prioritize spine health while working. You can protect your spine and general health by following ergonomic guidelines, maintaining excellent posture, being active, and obtaining professional advice when necessary. Remember that a healthy spine helps you do your regular activities and improves your overall quality of life.

If your car seat isn't built to offer optimal back support, try the Sleepsia Lumbar Support Pillow. It's an ergonomic lumbar support pillow with a distinctive convex shape. The design guarantees that your backrests fit perfectly. This is excellent back support for your back and improves your overall spine health.