Maintaining Good Spinal Health in Cincinnati, Ohio
The spine – much like other parts of the body – will eventually show signs of aging. The intervertebral discs will lose water content and become brittle, the facet joints will become arthritic, and ligaments will calcify. While these changes are largely unavoidable and are a natural part of the aging process, you can lessen the effects of aging on the spine by avoiding certain risk factors.
To ensure that you have a healthy spine for many years to come, take measures to:
- Exercise regularly – As you probably know, aerobic exercise gets the heart pumping. This increases the flow of nutrient-rich blood throughout the body, including the spine. Exercising also helps keep the muscles in the neck and back nice and strong, ensuring that the spine has adequate support.
- Maintain a healthy weight – Excess body fat places undue strain on the spine, especially in the lower back. An overweight person’s spine has to work extra hard to facilitate movement, often exacerbating the natural wear and tear placed on the spine.
- Properly hydrate – The intervertebral discs naturally lose water content over time, but drinking plenty of fluids can prevent the discs from becoming prematurely dehydrated.
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors – Using tobacco products and abusing alcohol can prove detrimental to your overall wellbeing, and can have a direct effect on your spinal health, too. These unhealthy behaviors deprive the spine of nutrient-rich blood and contribute to premature dehydration of the intervertebral discs.
If you’d like more information about how you can maintain good spinal health, make an appointment with a spine specialist today. The Cincinnati, OH, area is home to many world-renowned physicians, giving you easy access to the information and tools you need to keep your neck and back strong and flexible long into the future.
