Talking Back: Understanding the role a healthy spine plays in overall health
By Admin | November 05, 2022
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), lower back pain is one of the most common types of pain reported by patients, with 25% of U.S. adults reporting having experienced lower back pain in the prior three months.
While some may see back pain as a simple inconvenience – the result of an active and busy lifestyle or the natural byproduct of the aging process – it is important to recognize the role the spine plays in maintaining one’s overall health. Baylor Medicine Spine Center physicians Dr. Wyatt Kupperman and Dr. Joey Grochmal share some simple tips on how to maintain a healthy spine and how to identify when it is time to see an expert.
The great connector
When asked what role the spine plays in maintaining overall health, Dr. Kupperman explains, “The spine is the great connector for our body as it houses the neural system, provides various attachments for our musculoskeletal system and supports our limbs.” Further, the spine “contributes to our functional movement patterns and how we interact with our environment. To maintain a healthy, active life, the spine plays a key role.”
Dos and Don’ts
A healthy spine starts with maintaining a healthy weight and staying fit aerobically with intermittent weight bearing activities, Kupperman said.
“As a society, we spend many hours in a sedentary position, which has been researched and linked to multiple concerns. To counter this, I suggest changing positions and incorporating activity throughout the day,” he said.
When asked what types of activities one should avoid, Kupperman lists harmful activities such as smoking at the top of the list. Additionally, he cautions that periods of sustained flexion on the lumbar spine, such as working in the yard, can increase stress and...(More)
For more info please read, Talking Back: Understanding the role a healthy spine plays in overall health, by Baylor College of Medicine
