How To Protect Your Spine As You Age

Written By Victoria Smith / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

We all know that aging is inevitable. As your body ages, you become susceptible to more health issues than when you were younger. One of the most common ailments you'll face as you grow older is back pain, which could be debilitating if left untreated. However, there are many ways to protect your spine and maintain a healthy lifestyle as you age.

Exercise Regularly to Strengthen Your Core and Lower Back

Firstly, it is important to stay active as you age. Staying physically active can help strengthen your core and lower back, giving you the support that you need to prevent injury or pain during physical activities. You may already have a regular exercise routine but adding in some exercises that focus on strengthening the spine is just as beneficial. You can add many exercises, like crunches, planks, and back extensions.

If you are unsure about these exercises, or you find them too strenuous for your body, then consult a medical professional first. For instance, if a recent accident in Jonesboro makes it difficult for you to do back extensions, a Jonesboro GA Auto Accident Chiropractor can help you get back on your feet.

You can also consider hiring a personal trainer who has experience working with older adults so that they can help tailor the exercises specifically for your body and make sure that you are performing them correctly.

Remember to take it easy as well. If an exercise is causing pain then stop immediately. If the pain persists after a few days or weeks of stopping those exercises, consult medical advice before returning to any physical activity again.

Eat a Diet That Strengthens Your Bones and Muscles

It is also important to eat a healthy, nutritious diet as you age. The nutrients found in food assist with bone strength and muscle development, which both contribute to the health of your spine. Making sure that you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K can help protect against common damage to the spine, such as osteoporosis.

These nutrients are found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains, among other foods. If you can't get enough of these nutrients through your diet alone, then consider taking a supplement to make up for any deficiencies that may exist. However, only take supplements with medical advice because some of them can have adverse effects when you take them while suffering from certain conditions.

It is also important to eat a healthy, nutritious diet as you age. The nutrients found in food assist with bone strength and muscle development, which both contribute to the health of your spine. Making sure that you are getting enough calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and vitamin K can help protect against common damage to the spine, such as osteoporosis.

These nutrients are found in dairy products, leafy green vegetables, and whole grains, among other foods. If you can't get enough of these nutrients through your diet alone, then consider taking a supplement to make up for any deficiencies that may exist. However, only take supplements with medical advice because some of them can have adverse effects when you take them while suffering from certain conditions.

Use the Right Office Equipment to Protect Your Spine

Lastly, it is important to use the right equipment and furniture as you age. This will go a long way towards preventing any accidents or injuries that could damage your spine. For instance, using an adjustable chair with proper back support for prolonged periods of time can help prevent discomfort and injury when sitting down for extended periods of time.

Similarly, using a computer screen that is at eye level can also prevent long-term damage to the spine because it reduces strain on your neck and back. This means that you should get an office chair with good lumbar support so that you maintain proper posture when sitting for extended periods of time while working or surfing the web, for instance.

Practice Proper Posture

Finally, it is important to practice good posture as you age. Good posture can alleviate back pain and prevent further injury from occurring in the future. It also helps with your overall appearance by reducing sagging skin on the face and body or making you look taller than you are. To maintain correct posture, keep your chin parallel to the ground.

Make sure to keep your shoulders back and your stomach in. This naturally straightens the spine and reduces stress on the muscles in the surrounding areas. Your ears should be lined up with your shoulders when looking head-on at someone, which helps you maintain good posture even when moving around.

Finally, make sure that both of your feet are flat on the ground when walking, standing, or sitting to maintain good posture naturally.

By following these steps, you can help prevent injury and protect your spine as you age. While your spine is still susceptible to damage, the risk of injury can be reduced by maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly while using ergonomic equipment that helps you maintain proper posture.

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Written By:

Victoria Smith is a freelance writer who specializes in business and finance with a passion for cooking and wellness. She lives in Austin, Texas where she is currently working towards her MBA. 

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

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