Every year on 16 October, people from around the world come together on World Spine Day (an initiative of the Global Alliance for Musculoskeletal Health) to raise awareness about spinal disorders and empower others to take charge of their spinal health.
With half of Australians not being sufficiently, physically active and back problems reported as number one globally, Australians of all ages are putting their spinal health and wellbeing at risk
To combat this epidemic, World Spine Day 2019 is encouraging people of all ages to ‘Get Spine Active.’ This initiative aims to highlight the importance of physical activity, movement and exercise for maintaining spinal health. This year aims to encourage everyone, no matter age or ability, to find ways to get spine active that suits their lifestyle. It is simply about forming good, healthy habits that can be implemented every day.
The good news is that being spine active can take many forms. Whether it’s running, weightlifting, swimming or cycling, regular exercise not only strengthens your spine and improves your physical health but can be extremely beneficial to several other health factors including energy levels, sleeping patterns, metabolism and so much more.
As well as being spine active it is important to see your Chiropractor for a regular check-up visit (called maintenance care). The frequency of such varies from patient to patient but averages out at about once per month. This maintenance visit has various benefits, some of which are:
- Improves joint mobility, function and health.
- Makes tight muscles loose.
- Decreases degeneration of the joint.
- Decreases the ongoing inflammatory process associated with the subluxation (misaligned spine).
- Speeds up the recovery process.
S-T-R-E-T-C-H Of The Month: Piriformis Stretch
- Sit on the floor with both legs extended in front of you.
- Cross your right leg over your left and place your right foot flat on the floor.
- Place your right hand on the floor behind your body.
- Place your left hand on your right quad or your left elbow on your right knee (as shown) and press your right leg to the left as you twist your torso to the right.
- If the spinal rotation bothers your back, take it out and simply use your left hand to pull your right quad in and to the left.
Towards Wellness: Over-Thinking
Over-thinking and cognitive fatigue can diminish perspective, creativity and mood. Make a daily appointment of 15-20 minutes to press the pause button and give you the thinking space to reflect and think. Close the door, take a walk or sit in nature, where you won’t get interrupted and have time to ‘just be.’
