In between your visits to our office, there are lots of things you can do to keep your body - especially your back - healthy. If this sounds familiar-well, we've been talking to your mother. Just so happens she was right:
- Sit up straight.
Develop the habit of good posture. It makes a world of difference in the way your back feels. - Eat your vegetables.
A good diet is important to your overall health-all those nutrients help your body repair itself. And, you want to keep your weight down. Carrying extra weight puts extra strain on the back. - Turn off the TV.
Get up and move. Go for a walk. Add exercise to your regular routine. And when you have to sit for long periods, stretch regularly. - Put that down.
Don't lift things that are too heavy for you. (And if you have to, you know what they say-lift with your legs, not your back.) Don't carry around a backpack stuffed full of books (especially not on one shoulder) or a heavy bag if you can avoid it. The key is to minimize. Only take what you really need. - Go to sleep. Sleep is essential for your wellbeing. Just don't sleep on your stomach, which can strain the muscles in your neck and back. Practice sleeping on your side or back.
