The spine is made up of many different bones that work together to support the body, protect internal organs and provide mobility and flexibility. Many people know the back as an area for pain, strain or stress. Most do not realize that back pain is only part of a larger problem: poor posture. Spine function is the term used to describe how well each of the bones in your back support your body. To perform their specific functions, your spine needs to be strong and flexible in all planes of motion. This article will look at what activities help with spine function and why it is important.
Walk Every Day
In order to keep your spine healthy, it is important to strengthen the muscles that support it. Walking is one of the best exercises for the back and can be done any way you like. Find a pace that you enjoy and is challenging enough to be challenging, but not so difficult that the back gets out of shape. Walking is a non-weight bearing exercise that strengthens the muscles that support the spine. In order to keep your back healthy, walk every day.
Strong Core
The core is made up of the abdominals, the muscles that surround the stomach and the back. A strong core helps to support the spine, protect internal organs and improve posture. Strong core muscles can be developed through any type of activity that challenges the muscles such as crunches, push ups and planks. Core exercises can be done in the morning before bed or at any time throughout the day when you have a few minutes.
Stiff legs
Leg stiffness may seem like a silly topic to talk about in relation to your spine but it is an important part of spine function. Stiff muscles in your legs can lead to severe back pain and problems with gait. Activities such as swimming, running and cycling can cause leg stiffness and should be avoided. Exercises such as squats, lunges and leg raises can help loosen up stiff muscles and improve function.
Easy flexed ankles and knees
Part of spine function is the ability to easily flex the ankles and knees. This is important for walking and standing, but it can also be helpful for sports such as basketball and soccer. Activities that stretch the ankles, such as walking or swimming, and activities that strengthen the ankles and knees, such as basketball and soccer, can be helpful in improving function.
Conclusion
The spine is made up of many different bones that work together to support the body, protect internal organs and provide mobility and flexibility. Many people know the back as an area for pain, strain or stress. Most do not realize that back pain is only part of a larger problem: poor posture. The spine is also susceptible to injury due to weakness in specific areas. This can lead to back pain, stiffness and even injury. To maintain healthy spine function, it is important to strengthen the muscles that support it. Walking is a great low-impact activity to help strengthen the core and lower back muscles. Core exercises can be done in the morning before bed or at any time throughout the day when you have a few minutes.
