Can a healthy lifestyle help your back?
Health FitnessBack pain is the leading cause of disability in the UK, affecting almost 1 in 10 people. Suffering from back pain can be debilitating and have a significant impact on your work and social life. But did you know that making a few simple lifestyle changes can reduce the amount of back pain you experience?
A recent study from researchers in Sweden found that people who led a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to develop chronic back problems. This article will explain why healthy living can have a positive effect on your back.
What is a healthy lifestyle?
A healthy lifestyle is living in a way that maximizes your health, energy levels, and physical ability. The five main components of a healthy life include:
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eat a nutritious diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet ensures that your body has the energy and nutrients it needs to stay healthy.
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exercise regularly
Adults should aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week (half that if you exercise at high intensity). You should also do some strength training for all major muscle groups each week. This ensures that your muscles, ligaments, bones, and cardiovascular system stay healthy.
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controlling your weight
A healthy lifestyle includes maintaining a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
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Manage your stress levels
Being stressed can have a dramatic impact on your body, raising your blood sugar levels, causing anxiety, and slowing down your metabolism. Finding ways to manage stress is an important part of enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
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get enough sleep
The body uses sleep to heal the body, regulate hormones, eliminate toxins, and much more. Sleep is an important part of staying healthy and happy.
How will a healthy lifestyle help your back?
Living a healthy lifestyle will not only give you more energy, improve the quality of your life, and help you live longer, but it can also help you avoid back pain. Here is how:
Better core strength to support the back
Exercising regularly will ensure that the muscles of the abdomen and lower back are well developed. Keeping these muscles strong will help take some of the stress off your spine and give it support. You will be less likely to insult or strain your back, and there will be less pressure on your back each day.
better posture
Being active and physically fit will also help improve your posture. It will be easier to keep your spine straight when sitting, walking, and running, which helps prevent back pain.
Less weight means a healthier back
The UK is still experiencing an obesity epidemic with over 62% of adults overweight or obese. Unfortunately, carrying all this extra weight can contribute to back pain and change the alignment of your spine. Living a healthy lifestyle helps you avoid obesity and stay in a weight range that is appropriate for your age, gender, and height.
Spend less time sitting
Sitting for long periods is one of the main risk factors for back pain and low back disorders. Essentially, the more time you spend sitting, the more likely you are to have back pain. Living a healthy lifestyle helps because it is a more active lifestyle. You’ll spend less time sitting in front of your computer or TV and more time moving around.
Your column will have the nutrients it needs
The human spine requires many nutrients to grow new tissue and repair itself, including vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B12, iron, and protein. Eating a healthy and nutritious diet ensures that your spine has all of these important nutrients.
Less risk of degenerative spinal injuries
A healthy lifestyle is one that avoids cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption. This can help you avoid certain illnesses and injuries. For example, researchers have found that smoking can increase the risk of degenerative disc disease and low back pain. Other research has shown that people who drink to excess are more likely to insult their back.
You are more likely to get professional help
Having a healthy lifestyle makes a person more health conscious and more likely to see a medical professional if something is wrong. This means you won’t hesitate to see a chiropractor or general practitioner if you have back pain, helping you identify and treat a spinal injury or other back problem before it gets worse.