Spine Health: What They Don’t Teach You In School

Disclaimer: I am not a physician but, often times pain is an indication of an imbalance in the body. If you experience pain you should consult your doctor.

As a yoga teacher, It’s my job to keep my body healthy, flexible, and pain free. However, a few months ago, I started experiencing back pain that didn’t go away. I continued teaching with the pain and realized that I needed to see a doctor immediately.

After being treated by a doctor, I quickly discovered that the underlying pain was coming from a misaligned disc. I proactively did physical therapy to heal my back and strengthen my body. In a few weeks, I was pain free. I started teaching again and doing my regular workouts and paying close attention to keeping a strong core.

Through my own wellness journey, I realized I knew nothing about my spine. The spine! It’s the most important part of the body because it keeps you aligned and all together.

According to a Statistic survey from 2017, 29% of adults in the U.S. with back problems believed stress was the cause of their pain, while 26% blamed weak muscles or a lack of exercise, and another 26 percent blamed physical work.

Here are some facts about your spine that you should know!

 

Source: www.chiroone.net

 

Basic Tips To Maintain A Healthy Spine:

1. Stretch! You’re body is supposed to be flexible, not stiff. Try doing gentle stretching everyday or start a yoga practice.
2. Sleep on your back or side. Belly sleeping can cause lower back or neck issues and you don’t want that. Make sure you have a good supportive mattress that is most importantly comfortable.
3. Exercise your core and glutes. Your core muscles—your lower back and abdominal muscles need to be strong and supple in order to support your spine and take pressure off your lower back. Don’t skip the ab exercises at the gym!
4. Wear comfortable shoes! Your feet hold up your entire body and provide a supportive base that help the spine and body remain in alignment, so, you want to make sure you’re wearing good shoes.
5. Practice good posture. No one teaches us the correct posture in school but, good posture is crucial to spinal health. Make sure your shoulders are pulled back and not hunched over, and stand tall with your pelvis slightly tilted under. Carrying heavy bags on your shoulders or your back can put tremendous strain on your back. Carry heavy items with caution.