17 Quick Tips for a Healthy Spine

One of Dr. Davis' primary focuses as a chiropractor, is preventing health problems before the onset of symptoms.  During his appointments with patients, examining the spine for postural misalignments, is routine.  Such misalignments, also known as vertebral subluxation, may lead to a wide range of ailments, such as back pain, carpel tunnel syndrome and headaches.  Studies have also suggested that vertebral subluxations may be related to ear infections, Parkinson's disease, high blood pressure, colic and other maladies.  Dr. Davis also emphasizes the power of prevention with his clients by teaching monthly wellness courses and educating patients about vertebral subluxation and how treat them through chiropractic adjustments, as well as teaching about nutrition, stress reduction and exercise, as a means of  preventative measure.

1.  Schedule an appointment with Dr. Davis for a chiropractic checkup.  Even the slightest postural discrepancies, over a period of time, can have harmful effects on the spine.  Dr. Marc is educated to detect and prevent such conditions before they turn painful.

2. Strive to be well.  Having a "wellness attitude," is on that focuses on prevention and strives to address issues when they arise, rather than ignore them or try to cover them up with potentially harmful medications.

3.  Switch from coffee to green tea.  Green tea contains the emerald elixir, which is an antioxidant which is filled with healing chemicals that are known to prevent Osteoarthritis, an attack on the spine that occurs in older individuals.

4.  Be an ergonomic expert!  Invest in a headset for your home, office and mobile telephones, to avoid unnecessary neck strain associated with cradling the phone between the shoulder and ear.  Consider trading out your traditional computer mouse, which require repetitive movements that can lead to muscular imbalances, for a touch pad or a roller ball device.

5.  Ask your doctor about glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements in relation to your health situation.  Both supplements are linked with preventing degeneration of cartilage in joints.  Make sure that you speak with your doctor about any other supplements and/or medications that you might be taking.

6.  Watch your water intake.  Six to eight glasses of water a day is essential in keeping the intravertebrae disks separating the spine's vertebrae soft and elastic.  Dehydration can cause the disks to lose flexibility and shrink, thus failing to provide cushion for adjacent vertebrae.

7.  Nourish your spine with daily multivitamins and minerals.  Always consult with your doctor or chiropractor before beginning a new regimen.

8.  Avoid carrying your wallet in your back pocket.  Doing so, may hurt your spine and put unnecessary pressure on your sciatic nerve.  The disproportionate pressure can also lead to posture incongruities which can lead to low-back pain.

9.  Request a posture check from Dr. Davis.  This procedure can help identify any posture problems that you should be aware of, before they become painful or lead to a disorder.

10.  Sleep on your back.  As much as you might like to stretch out on your stomach, sleeping there can tweak vertebrae in your neck, leading to vertebral subluxations.

11.  Choose a soft spine-friendly pillow made from down feathers.  Or ask your doctor about the many therapeutic pillows on the market.  AND make sure you pack your pillow with you while on trips.  You might not know how accustomed you've become to your pillow until you have trouble sleeping at your hotel, or wake up with neck pain the following morning.

12.  Purchase a neck-cradling pillow for road trips and airplane flights.  Extra support while sitting upright for long periods of time, helps avoid strains in the neck area.

13.  Stretch each day.  As a rule of thumb--for every 30 minutes of inactivity i.e. sitting at your desk during work hours, take a three minute stretch break.  Set a timer to remind yourself to be kind to your back.

14.  Be active.  Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week, and incorporate both strength training and aerobic programs.

15.  Incorporate abdominal strengthening exercises into your fitness regimen.  Low back pain is often associated with weak abdominal muscles.

16.  Pass up excessive caffeine, sugar, processed and fried foods.  Not only do these foods drain the body of energy, they interrupt appropriate nutrients from reaching the spine.

17.  Maintain regular chiropractic checkups to stay subluxation-free.  Ask your doctor to suggest a schedule that will keep you on track.  Remember, your spine is worth the time and effort to avoid pain and be healthy!

Davis Family Chiropractic, PLLC

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