Bad Habits Affecting Your Spine Health That You Might Not Have Noticed

As our lifestyles change, so do the number of bad habits that we can form. You might have thought all these years of sitting too much or not exercising at all were just normal habits. However, the sad truth is that there are many ways most people might be hurting their back that they might have been doing for a long time. Hence, it’s no wonder that so many people suffer from back pain or have other spinal problems because of that. 

The spine is a delicate part of your body, and you need to take care of it. However, it’s sometimes hard to know what you might be doing that affects your spine health without realizing it. Even if you have no pain or symptoms, there are many habits and activities you do everyday that can cause problems in the long run.  

Therefore, if you’re concerned about your spine health, consider changing these behaviors as soon as possible. Hence, read on below and check some common habits that could affect your back without even noticing it and see what you can do about them today so they won’t cause pain later on. 

Sitting Too Long in One Position

Sitting for long periods of time can cause your spine to curve, leading to back pain and other problems. Likewise, sitting too long in one position without getting up can cause stiffness in the lower back and hips. You might have noticed your posture has been off for a while, or you’re just now experiencing a lot more discomfort when sitting down on chairs than usual. Maybe it’s time to start looking at how your habits affect your spine health. 

Sitting is something most people do while they’re working – whether it be at their desk all day or just reading emails during their lunch break. Moreover, some problems are associated with this extended period of sedentary behavior, like prolonged pressure placed onto certain areas and reduced circulation throughout the body. www.colombia.co Hence, sitting in one position for a long time is one of the great contributors to your spine health that you need to be aware of the next time you do the same thing. 

Sleeping in an Awkward Position

You may think that the way you sleep has nothing to do with your back. But, the fact is it does! Another bad habit that affects your back is when you sleep in an awkward position. Sleeping on your side can also cause your spine to curve in the wrong way and can lead to back pain from being bent poorly for too many hours. 

Besides that, sleeping on your stomach or sleeping face-down puts pressure on the spine that causes it to curve unnaturally, making you feel body pain the next day. You might not have noticed this for years, but if you continue doing this, you’ll feel the same pain every day. 

Cigarette Smoking 

You all know the various dangers that cigarette smoking can give you, but did you know that smoking can also cause adverse effects to your spine? It’ll affect the quality and strength of your bones over time if not dealt with properly. Moreover, it can even cause a loss of bone density, leading to a curvature of your spine. It also has been shown to increase the risk of developing osteoporosis and a chance of getting arthritis.

Furthermore, smoking cigarettes can lead to many health problems, including lung cancer, heart disease, and many others. Smoking is an addiction that’s tough to break because nicotine triggers the release of dopamine in your brain, which causes a pleasurable sensation. This addictive substance also has other effects on your body, such as constricting blood vessels and increasing rates of high blood pressure. 

There are many ways for you to quit smoking. For example, you can use nicotine patches or use e-cigarettes which allows smokers to get their dose without having the same adverse effects as regular cigarettes. Hence, if you’re concerned about your spine health and overall well-being, you better quit smoking as soon as possible. 

Drinking Too Much Alcohol 

Drinking too much alcohol can cause adverse effects to your liver, stomach, and brain. But did you know that it can also cause adverse effects on your spine? The spine is made up of different discs that cushion the vertebrae. However, drinking too much alcohol can affect these discs, causing them to herniate or bulge, leading to nerve damage and a loss of mobility. 

Moreover, too much alcohol intake can also cause various spinal problems, such as degeneration of the discs and joints, osteoarthritis, and narrowing of the spinal canal. It can also give you back and neck pain that may get worse with time. The pain may be accompanied by muscle spasms, numbness or tingling in one arm or leg, weakness in an arm or leg, bladder incontinence, and difficulty walking. 

In addition, chronic heavy drinkers may experience problems with their immune system, reproductive health issues like erectile dysfunction or menstrual irregularities in women. Hence, if you want to be healthy and your spine will be strong, quit or at least drink alcohol in moderation. 

Working Out in A Fitness Gym

It’s good to get out of the house and work out in a fitness gym. You can meet people there and make a new circle of friends. It’s also a great place for motivation and, on top of that, you’ll be doing something healthy for yourself. However, many people have bad habits while working out in a fitness gym that can have adverse effects on their spine and back.

Have you ever been in a fitness gym and seen someone with their head down, shoulders slumped forward, and back curved? It’s one of the most common bad habits that many people have while working out. Slouching or sitting in the wrong position while you work out and even using weights in the wrong way will have a significant impact on your spine.

In the short term, it can lead to neck and shoulder pain because your upper back muscles become tight. Slouching also puts stress on your lower back and other parts of your body, like hips and knees. In the long term, chronic slouching may cause nerve damage that could lead to hand numbness, arm weakness, or even difficulty breathing.

Moreover, not stretching before or after a workout can lead to muscle soreness and stiffness. Besides that, not wearing supportive shoes while exercising can also put undue stress on joints, leading to any possible injury. Hence, if you’re making these bad habits while working out in a fitness gym without realizing it, and you start to feel various body pains in different parts of your body, you better find a trusted chiropractor near your area. 

You can try the spinal care of Nevada, and you can approach Dr. Devin Luzod of drdevin.com. He has a great team of professional and experienced chiropractors that will provide you with high-quality service and will significantly help you get rid of any pains you’re experiencing now. Hence, you’ll then continuously enjoy going to a fitness center for the goal of getting excellent health and overall well-being. 

Car Driving in The Same Position All Day

You all know that sitting in a car for a long time is not good for your back. But what if you had to sit in the driver’s seat and drive all day? Driving a car can be one of the most strenuous jobs out there. While it may seem like an easy task, it has been shown to have negative consequences on your spine and back as well.

Sitting for a long time can cause spinal disc injuries and herniated discs. It’ll then affect your posture that increases the pressure on your lumbar vertebrae. Besides that, by slouching over, drivers are doing their back muscles more harm than good because they’re not using them as intended while driving. It’ll further cause muscle strain or even spasms in the neck, shoulders, and upper back from looking up at windshields for long hours. 

Moreover, the American Chiropractic Association reports that one of the most common causes of lower back pain is sitting too long, especially when you’re driving a car. It also increases the risk for carpal tunnel syndrome and other repetitive strain injuries. Also, your hip flexors tighten up and put pressure on your lumbar discs, leading to pain or even injury. Therefore, it’s necessary to take breaks from sitting every 30 minutes or so by standing up, stretching, or doing some walking around. Hence, it’s important to be aware of how you are sitting while driving and take the necessary precautions to protect yourself from future pain and injury. 

Takeaway

The spine is the most important part of your body. It’s what holds you up, helps with movement, and protects your internal organs. However, many people can sometimes accidentally hurt their spines by not being mindful of their posture or staying active when they should be resting. Hence, remember the things discussed above and, as much as possible, avoid them to improve your quality of life and overall well-being.