About This Blog:
- As a spine and neurosurgeon, Dr. Mark Giovanini knows degeneration and premature aging of the spine are common culprits for people with back pain.
- Although there is not much that can be done about preventing a genetic spine condition, there are ways patients can reduce their risk of spinal damage caused by premature aging.
- In this blog, Dr. Mark Giovanini explains what patients can do to prevent premature aging of the spine.
Many people don’t realize the spine is, directly and indirectly, responsible for all of the body’s movements. Although the spine is a sturdy structure, it cannot withstand an exorbitant amount of weight or trauma, which is why patients must take good care of themselves and their spine. If they don’t, they could end up like some of the patients Dr. Mark Giovanini sees: individuals who start experiencing spine pain at age 20, 30, and 40. To prevent premature aging of the spine, consider the following:
Monitor Your Posture
It’s important to keep a good posture for a healthy spine. Sitting and standing in a “correct” or “healthy” way usually requires keeping your head straight, shoulders drawn back slightly with your hips, knees, and ankles in line with one another. We wrote a blog about the importance of maintaining a good posture here: http://bit.ly/1JQQ4wT. Implementing some of these tips could help prevent premature aging of the spine.
Move Frequently
Physical activity is key to healthy and limber muscles supporting the spine. This, in turn, keeps your spine supported and protected, which helps prevent premature degeneration. Dr. Mark Giovanini can walk you through a comprehensive strength training and exercise program to help reduce your risk of injury and improve coordination.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Maintaining a healthy body weight is critical for long-term spine health. Why? Well, excess body weight puts pressure on the spine, which can lead to degeneration and damage. Make sure you eat well-balanced, nutritious foods and that you stay away from colas, which can weaken the skeletal system.
Receive Treatment
It’s imperative you receive treatment at the first sign of back or spinal pain. Prolonging treatment can have dire implications for your overall health. We also wrote a blog on this topic, which can be found here: http://bit.ly/1Da1fge. Spinal fractures, herniations, and permanent damage to the spinal cord can occur for very severe cases of back pain. Regardless, call NeuroMicroSpine today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Mark Giovanini.
For more information on minimally invasive spine surgery or to make an appointment with Dr. Giovanini, please call (850) 934-7545 or visit https://www.neuromicrospine.com/request-appointment.
We hope to see you soon!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.