Take care of your spine, you only have one!

Why is our spine important?

• Because the spine allows us to bend and twist. It provides stability and range of motion for our torso. Spinal injuries limit movement. If we are recovering from an injury, if our posture is poor, or if we have "worn out" our spine over time, all of these make it difficult to sit upright, bend, walk, move our neck, lift, etc.

• The nervous system and the spine are closely connected. Nerves exit the spine on both sides into our body, through which impulses travel from the brain to even your little toe, and back. A damaged spine can hinder communication between the brain and the limbs. This can cause a sensation of numbness or tingling in the hands and feet. In more drastic cases, a spinal cord injury can occur, which always leads to paralysis.

• When swallowing, food and drinks travel through the esophagus to the stomach. The esophagus is normally parallel to the spine. However, if the spine is in an irregular position due to some injury or illness, it can press against the esophagus, or even rupture it.

• Incorrect posture, wrong movements, and intense workouts place excessive pressure on the spine. Continuous overload wears out the spine, thus increasing the risk of injuries over time. These injuries almost always require surgery and can permanently damage the bones and joints of the spine.

• If our spine does not "function" properly, our quality of life significantly deteriorates. We may miss out on many activities. Not only will our mobility be limited, but we must also expect pain.
That is why we must take care of our spine! Let's see how we can protect the health of our spine!

Let's switch to a healthy lifestyle!

The best thing we can do for our own health is to abandon our unhealthy habits and adopt a new, healthy lifestyle. Have you ever thought that this is not a punishment, but self-love and respect, that you learn to treat yourself well and give yourself what you need? This includes healthy eating, regular exercise, paying attention to our weight, avoiding smoking, etc. Regular exercise can strengthen the abdominal muscles, which play an important role in supporting the pelvis and lower back. Pilates is an excellent method for maintaining spinal health and strengthening muscles. It is low-intensity, making it suitable for all ages, and thanks to its modifiability (customization), it is suitable for amateurs, professional athletes, and those recovering from injuries alike. By eating properly, we supply the body with nutrients that help heal minor injuries to the spine and the muscles surrounding it.
To perform at its best, our body needs rest. If we don't neglect sleep, we significantly contribute to spinal health. However, it matters whether we doze off sitting in a chair or in our bed equipped with a quality mattress and pillow – it is extremely important to prepare the right environment. The sleeping position also matters. It is best to lie on your side or back.
Perhaps we don't even think about how our daily, routine activities affect the health of our spine. Small things like lifting can lead to serious injuries if done incorrectly. Don't try to appear tough – if something is too heavy, ask for help!
Small, everyday changes are key.
We generally don't even think about how our small, habitual daily activities affect our health. Let's take some time to consider everything we do in a day, how it affects our spine, and how we could improve it. Next time, choose shoes that provide adequate support! Take more breaks during work so you don't stay in the same position for too long. If you work in an office and spend most of your day sitting in a chair, make your environment as ergonomic as possible. Sit so that your lower back is always supported, and place your computer screen at eye level to avoid hunching forward.
Let's start with smaller steps, as it's not easy to switch to a completely new lifestyle overnight. If we notice how simple changes, like a new pillow, have such a positive effect on our lives, we will soon be eager to take more serious steps for the health of our spine!

If you don't know where to start, or want to build your new lifestyle more consciously and quickly, feel free to contact me, I can help! This is a process of learning a lifestyle where you support your health long-term. It's okay if something doesn't go perfectly at first, if there are difficulties sometimes, if you can't solve something alone. But what I think is essential: enjoy it! In the long run, the result will be priceless.