Bottom Line: Nobody has time to be dealing with nagging back pain! 

Being proactive and doing things today that are going to help your spinal discs remain healthy in the future is a very wise choice! It doesn’t have to take very long, or be too much work, but consistency is key! One day of not doing your “spinal health” regimen can slowly turn into a week before you know it.  

Did you know that everyday your spinal discs are responsible for absorbing stress related to gravity, your posture (both static and dynamic), and your movement patterns. Over time, this stress can cause wear and tear to your discs that can become painful. Also keep in mind that just because you have this wear and tear does not mean it is responsible for your pain! It can be thought of as “grey hair” of your spine. 

The good news? There are a few key ways you can keep your discs healthy… starting today!

Why it Matters:

Not surprisingly, movement and exercise are the top ways to keep your spinal discs healthy. At ProMove we love keeping you active, exercising, and moving as much as possible! We know how valuable these aspects are to your overall health and longevity. The positive impacts are too numerous to count. 

Each day try to move your spine through its full range of motion. This can be done seated or standing, but make sure we explore our anatomical ranges frequently! Also, be cautious about sitting for hours on end. Take “micro breaks” to stand and walk to the printer. Have an important phone call? Take in on a walk! Movement supports spinal health 100%. 

If you have to sit for long periods, try to change positions every 15 minutes. If you have to work at a computer for hours at a time and you have the option, bring in a standing desk. Replace your chair with an exercise ball periodically throughout the day. These small steps can help reduce stress on your discs, and engage the small muscles supporting your spine – both of which are essential for disc health. 

Also, be more conscious of your posture throughout the day. If you feel like your shoulders are rolled forward and can feel your face slowly inching closer to your screen…STRAIGHTEN UP and re-adjust your back and shoulders!  The combination of inactivity and long periods in an unbalanced posture can wreak havoc on your spinal discs, along with many other conditions that follow. 

Next Steps: 

Keeping your spinal discs healthy is one of the best things you can do to reduce your risk of experiencing neck or back pain. 

Especially if you spend long hours at the computer on a daily basis, you need to take some proactive steps to keep your spine and discs healthy before it catches up to you. 

If you want to keep your spinal discs healthy for years and years to come we’d be happy to work with you on a plan to do so!  Just shoot us a message or give us a call!

Science Source(s): 

Disc Changes Associated with Prolonged Sitting. PMR. 2014.

Dalton Sealey DC, CSCS

ProMove Chiropractic & Performance

(402)915-4901

drsealey@promovechiropractic.com