Back pain is a common problem among adults and can interfere with your quality of life. You may miss out on activities you enjoy and be unable to do basic things around the house due to pain. The alignment of the spine vertebral is essential if you want to reduce back pain, so concentrate on that will help.
Back pain is directly related to spinal alignment, so taking care of your spine, back, and neck will decrease pain. Misalignment and back pain are often due to bad habits, such as poor posture and improper sleeping positions. Fortunately, you have time to fix all the problems.
15 ways to improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain
If you have back pain that you think is caused by misalignment of the spine, forming better habits can help. For those who don’t experience back pain, these habits can help prevent it.
Be active and exercise regularly
Those who are not active tend to experience more back pain than those who are. Make sure to exercise every day to help keep your spine healthy and reduce back pain. Some of the best exercises for your back include:
- Swimming.
- Riding a bicycle.
- To walk.
- To run.
- Any other type of cardio.
Another reason that regular exercise helps reduce back pain is that exercise promotes the production of endorphins in your body. When endorphins are released, they act as natural pain relievers.
Pay attention to your posture
For proper spinal alignment and to reduce back pain, you must practice good posture. Slouching, stooping, and any other form of poor posture have a severe effect on the spine and back. Not only is it uncomfortable and can become painful, it can also cause irreversible damage.
If you notice that your back hurts from poor posture, it’s time to make a change. Make sure to alternate between sitting and standing throughout the day, and learn to practice good posture in both positions.
When you are sitting, your knees should be level with your hips. If you are in front of a computer, the monitor should be at eye level so that you do not keep your spine in an unnatural position. When standing, keep your shoulder blades down and your pelvis forward.
Maintain a healthy weight to improve spinal alignment
Being overweight is one of the main causes of back pain and misalignment of the spine. If you are overweight, consider losing weight to improve the health of your spine. Maintaining a healthy weight will decrease stress on the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in your lower back.
Consider CBD
Cannabidiol (CBD) can help with many bodily functions and many people use it to reduce pain. Additionally, CBD also has anti-inflammatory properties, allowing it to further help with back pain.
Lift things safely
It can be tempting to lift something however you can, but you must be careful. Lifting something incorrectly can seriously damage your back or spine. The correct way to lift a heavy object is to do the following:
- Stand as close to the object as possible.
- Bend your knees so your arms are level with the object.
- Lift using your leg and knee muscles rather than your back and upper body.
- Keep your head down.
- Make sure your back remains straight.
You must make sure that you do not lift an object yourself that must be lifted with help. Asking for help is much better than suffering an injury alone. You should also avoid lifting heavy objects above your head.
Do yoga
Yoga can help improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain in a number of ways. First, it helps you stretch and relax tight muscles that can contribute to pain. Second, yoga can help you realign your spine while stretching your body.
Don’t sit for too long
This habit can be difficult for those who work in an office or other setting that requires sitting. However, staying in one position for too long can wreak havoc on your back and neck muscles. While it may be impossible to work standing up, be sure to take frequent breaks to stand up.
You could get up and move once an hour during your workday. If that’s not an option, find something to do in your workspace that requires you to stand for a while.
Stop smoking cigars
Surprisingly, nicotine can damage your spine and intensify your back pain. It does this because nicotine damages spinal tissues, weakens bones, and damages spinal discs. Additionally, people who smoke tend to be less active than others, further contributing to spinal problems and back pain.
Sleep well and sleep properly
Your body needs to sleep, so if you want to feel good, you need to get enough sleep. When you sleep, your cells repair themselves, which can help reduce back problems.
Getting enough sleep is not the only ticket to improving your spine health. The position in which you sleep also influences.
It is better to sleep on your side because any other position puts too much pressure on the spine. Investing in a mattress and pillow will also help to keep your spine in proper alignment. You might also consider sleeping with a pillow between your legs, which will take the pressure off your back.
Choose supportive shoes
You have passed the days of being able to choose your shoes based on looks alone. Now, you should also choose the shoes based on their level of support. No matter what you are doing, it would be best to have good lower back support.
Without support, you will experience severe back pain. It would be helpful if you had shoes that have arch and heel support, and make sure the shoes are not too tight. With shoes that fit well and are supportive, you are sure to notice less back pain.
Stay hydrated
Staying hydrated is essential to improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain. Hydration is necessary to maintain elasticity and fluidity in the soft tissues of the joints. When dehydration occurs, the spinal discs lose height and can cause the discs to slip out of place.
Disks that slip out of place aren’t the only bad thing that can happen due to dehydration, either. It can also cause the cushion between the bones to deteriorate, contributing to serious back pain.
Eat healthy foods
Your diet plays an important role in the health of your spine. Some foods can cause inflammation in your body, putting pressure on your spine and back. This inflammation can cause pain and many other problems in the spine.
Some of the foods that cause inflammation include:
- Sugar.
- Trans fat.
- Processed foods.
- Red meat.
- Refined carbohydrates.
Your best option is to stick to whole foods that have not been altered in any way. While you can sometimes indulge yourself, don’t make it a habit to indulge in the unhealthy foods listed above.
Take time to stretch
Stretching can help you maintain joint function and range of motion. In addition, it reduces the risk of injury. Stretching your back and neck can alleviate problems you already have and can prevent new ones from occurring.
One of the best ways to stretch your neck and back is to turn your head clockwise. Turn it three times and then turn it counterclockwise again. This stretch will relieve tension and promote spinal alignment.
For the back, you can use an exercise ball to stretch. Rest your back on the exercise ball and roll back. By doing this, you stretch your back and spine.
Rest your spine
While being active and exercising are good habits that improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain, it is also important to rest your spine. When you lie down, focus on relaxing your spine and letting it rest completely.
Practice proper ergonomics
When you are in your workplace, you should practice proper ergonomics. This practice means that if you sit at a desk, make sure everything is at the correct height. Your chair should support your lower back and your knees should be level with your hips.
Also, your feet should rest comfortably on the ground. Your monitor should also be at eye level, and you should consider a keyboard tray to allow for comfortable access.
If you want to improve spinal alignment and reduce back pain, training in the habits mentioned above will help. Plus, you can help prevent pain and further injury.