How Can I Slow The Progression Of Spinal Arthritis?
Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Spinal osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that affects millions of Americans. Arthritis is a tricky condition to treat because it can occur naturally over time after our joints are exposed to years of stress, and you can’t reverse this damage once it’s set in. That being said, you can help to ward off arthritis and prevent progression of the condition by following certain lifestyle habits. Below, we share five ways you can prevent and slow the progression of spinal osteoarthritis.
Exercise
Regular exercise is probably the best thing you can do for your spine and your whole body when it comes to preventing arthritis and other health conditions. Exercise helps to keep spinal ligaments and joints healthy and functioning as they should. Strive to get 30-45 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at least 3-5 times a week to help ward off arthritis.
Diet
What you eat also plays a significant role in spinal joint health. Getting a range of healthy foods will ensure your joints and spinal structures get plenty of essential vitamins and nutrients. Poor eating habits can lead to flare ups of spinal inflammation, which can slowly speed up the progression of spinal arthritis. Make healthy food choices and your spinal joints will thank you for it.
Avoiding Alcohol and Tobacco
Alcohol and tobacco are two products that can contribute to the degeneration of your spinal joints and lead to osteoarthritis. Alcohol limits the amount of healthy blood flow to the spine, while tobacco contributes to the breakdown of healthy spinal tissue. Try to limit your intake of these items or eliminate their usage altogether.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
If you follow the first two tips, there’s a good chance that you’ll maintain a healthy weight, but we thought this deserved its own point. By maintaining a healthy weight, you’ll ensure that you aren’t putting extra stress on your spinal joints with each step you take. Even shedding just a few pounds can do wonders for your back, so strive to maintain a healthy weight as you age.
Posture Awareness
Finally, we can help to protect our spines by being aware of our posture throughout the day and making adjustments so that we aren’t overloading our lumbar or cervical spinal joints. Maintain good posture when you’re in the car, at your work desk or on the couch. Get in the habit of conducting regular posture checks throughout the day to help keep abnormal pressure off your spinal joints.
