The expert spine doctors at The Spine Care Center in Manassas strive to help our patients live life with as little back and neck pain as possible. We know that everyone is setting resolutions for the new year and decade, so we decided to share tips on how to help your spine age well. Read on to discover our top tips for ensuring your spine ages well, and be sure to contact our office if you experience back pain.

Age is a major risk factor for many spine conditions, including arthritis, herniated discs, and more. Not everyone ages the same, and you can take steps to help overcome the effects of aging by enacting specific lifestyle changes. If you want to take years off your spine, try the following techniques.

Perform Resistance Exercise

Resistance or strengthening exercises can help keep your abdominal and back muscles strong even as you age. These exercises have also been shown to improve bone density. The best resistance exercises involve lifting heavy weights to build up muscle. You might use exercises such as:

  • Rows
  • Flys
  • Core exercises
  • Lat pulldowns

Before performing these exercises for the first time, ensure your doctor considers them safe for you. You should also work with a personal trainer who can teach you how to use proper form and choose the right amount of weight for you. Bad form and overdoing it can actually lead to back injuries instead of helping your back age properly.

Keep performing resistance exercises every week to ensure your bones and muscles remain strong. This can help take pressure off of your spine.

Take Your Vitamins

In both men and women, bones begin to become less dense with age, putting you at risk for spine fractures and osteoporosis. To prevent these problems, eat a healthy diet and take a calcium + Vitamin D supplement each day. Your doctor can help you choose a good supplement for you.

Manage Your Weight

You don’t have to be thin to protect your spine health, but it’s generally better to maintain a healthy weight if possible as you age. Every extra pound puts more pressure on your spine, making degeneration more likely. By exercising regularly and eating a healthy diet, you can keep your current weight as the years pass.

Practice Good Posture

Whether you still work or are retired, you should practice good posture throughout your daily activities. This means sitting up straight at a desk or keeping your spine straight as you lift items. Good posture helps protect your spine and keep it strong as you get older.

Hopefully these tips will help keep your back strong, healthy, and pain free in the coming years. If you are already experiencing back pain or neck pain, then our spine care experts can help you find a way back to better back health. Call The Spine Care Center in Manassas today at (703) 257-2266 or request an appointment online to learn more about your spine health.

Schedule your appointment with our office today!