Can A Healthy Lifestyle Help Your Back?

Back pain is the leading cause of disability in the United Kingdom, affecting almost 1 in 10 people.  Suffering from back pain can be debilitating and have a significant impact on your work and social life.

But did you know that making some simple lifestyle changes can reduce the amount of back pain you experience?  A recent study from researchers in Sweden found that people who lived a healthy lifestyle were much less likely to develop chronic back problems.  This article will explain why healthy living can have a positive effect on your back.

What is a healthy lifestyle?

A healthy lifestyle is living in a way that maximises your health, energy levels and physical capacity.  The five main components of healthy living include:

  1. Eating a nutritious diet
    Enjoying a healthy and balanced diet ensures that your body has the energy and nutrients it requires to remain healthy.
  2. Exercising regularly
    Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week (half that if exercising at a high intensity). You should also perform some strength training for all major muscle groups each week.  This ensures that your muscles, ligaments, bones, and cardiovascular system remain healthy.
  3. Managing your weight
    A healthy lifestyle includes staying at a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
  4. Managing your stress levels
    Being stressed can have a dramatic impact on your body, increasing your blood sugar levels, causing anxiety, and slowing your metabolism. Finding ways to manage stress is an important part of enjoying a healthy lifestyle.
  5. Getting enough sleep
    The body uses sleep to heal the body, regulate hormones, remove toxins, and much more.  Sleep is an important part of remaining healthy and happy.

 

How will living a healthy lifestyle help your back?

Not only will living a healthy lifestyle give you more energy, improve the quality of your life, and help you live longer — it also can help you avoid back pain.  Here is how:

Better core strength to support your back

Exercising regularly will ensure that the muscles in the abdomen and lower back are well-developed.  Keeping these muscles strong will help to take some strain off your spine and provide it with support.  You will be less likely to injure or strain your back and there will be less pressure on it each day.

Better posture

Being active and physically fit will also help you improve your posture.  It will become easier to keep your spine straight when sitting, walking and running, which helps you avoid back pain.

Less weight means a healthier back

The United Kingdom is still going through an obesity epidemic with over 62% of adults being overweight or obese.  Unfortunately, carrying all of this extra weight can contribute to back pain and change the alignment of your spine. Living a healthy lifestyle helps you avoid obesity and remain in a weight range that is appropriate for your age, gender, and height.

Spending less time sitting down
Sitting down for long periods is one of the major risk factors for back pain and lumbar disorders.  Essentially, the more time you spend sitting down, the more likely it is that you will have back pain.  Living a healthy lifestyle helps because it is a more active lifestyle.  You will spend less time sitting down in front of the computer or television, and more time moving about.

Your spine will have the nutrients it needs

The human spine requires many nutrients to grow new tissue and repair itself including vitamin D, calcium, magnesium, Vitamin K, Vitamin C, Vitamin B12, Iron, and protein.  Eating a healthy and nutritious diet ensures that your spine has all these important nutrients. 

Less risk of degenerative spinal injuries

A healthy lifestyle is one that avoids cigarettes and excessive alcohol consumption.  This can help you avoid certain illnesses and injuries.  For example, researchers have discovered that smoking can increase the risk of degenerative disc disease and lower back pain.  Other research has shown that people who drink excessively are more likely to injure their back. 

More likely to get professional help

Having a healthy lifestyle makes a person more health conscious and more likely to see a medical professional if something is wrong.  This means you won’t hesitate to see a chiropractor or general practitioner if your back hurts — which helps you identify and treat a spinal injury or other back problem before it becomes worse.

If you are suffering back pain our chiropractors at Newcastle Chiropractic Clinic are here to help you. Why not call us to book an appointment.

David Hemingway
Had a great consultation followed by my first hr session. Very positive, friendly and informative. Hope to carry on
David Hemingway
13/02/2024
Janet
I don’t know what I’d do without my monthly appointment. My movement vastly improved and there has been a reduction in persistent when I discovered this clinic.
Janet
13/02/2024
Greg Methven
After being diagnosed with BPPV Vertigo I was really suffering and after not really making any progress with the Betahistine prescribed by the Doctor at the Royal Stoke I decided to see Dr Finn, who has previously resolved other muscular and skeletal injuries for myself and my family. With BPPV Vertigo being an issue with the inner ear I wasn’t sure if this was something he could resolve promptly ? The clinic fitted me in really quickly and after just two short visits my BPPV was fully resolved. After spending so much time on 111 and at the hospital I was relieved at how swiftly and efficiently Dr Finn resolved my BPPV, which was really bad. I can fully recommend this clinic for this and other treatments in a professional and effective manner. 10/10
Greg Methven
11/02/2024
Stephen Banks
First class service from Rob and team
Stephen Banks
06/02/2024
Richard Moth
My wife was suddenly in real pain around her hip area and upon making a phone call to Newcastle Chiropractic was given an immediate appointment. With a total of no more than 20 minutes she was feeling a lot less pain and doing gentle walking as recommended by Rob. She’s very grateful with a lot less pain and feeling mobile again.
Richard Moth
06/02/2024
John Nyansera
The staff members handle their clients professionally.
John Nyansera
25/01/2024
Linda Machin
I first started seeing Rob in 1998 when he took over from Jane Hvas at the Brampton Clinic. I have now been a patient of Robs for 25 years. I don't know what I would have done without the treatment and support I have re eived from him. He's simply the best.
Linda Machin
24/01/2024
Francesco Alfano
Dott. Burcu Cetinkaya is the best chiropractor I've ever been treated by, and I've had many. Since the first visit at the clinic I've been examinated and listened very carefully about my problems and I've been given a personalised plan of treatment and exercises straight away. I've been checked vertebra by vertebra and rettified my posture, basically if there is a problem she will find out and I've never been so happy with my back, my problems they're gone and my posture is the best ever. I can't thank dott. Burcu enough even if an emergency occurred she has been always available and makes me feel safe. Not the last the ladies on reception are the kindest ever. The clinic service is a 5 star ???? all round. Thank you ???? ???? ????????
Francesco Alfano
20/01/2024
Paul Proffitt
Should have come to Newcastle chiropractic a year ago save wasting a year trying get sorted with the NHS, Came to Newcastle Chiropractic and was met by friendly staff and Dr Burcu who couldn’t help enough, don’t know where I would have been with out the help I have received from Dr Burcu. Excellent practice 11/10 all day.
Paul Proffitt
16/01/2024