Did you know a spinal cord injury can lead to paralysis, chronic pain, and loss of sensation? A healthy spine is central to overall well-being, mobility, and quality of life. It also provides structural support to the body to keep it upright in a correct posture. On this World Spine Day, we spoke to Dr Vamsi Krishna Varma Penumatsa, Senior Consultant Spine Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad, who explained the importance of a healthy spine, symptoms of poor spine health, and how to take care of your spine health.
Importance Of Spine Health
According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, low back and neck pain, also known as spinal pain, is recognised as the primary contributor to years lived with disability in most countries and across various age groups. Dr Penumatsa added, “Around 70-80% of the population in this world is susceptible to spine problems at least once in their lifetime due to changing lifestyles.”
Dr Penumatsa said that taking care of your spine is crucial for several reasons including:
- Central Support: The spine provides the central support for your body, allowing you to stand upright, bend, and twist.
- Protection: It encases and protects the spinal cord, which is an essential part of the central nervous system responsible for transmitting signals between your brain and the rest of your body.
- Posture and Alignment: Proper spinal health ensures good posture, which in turn can prevent various musculoskeletal problems, reduce strain on ligaments and muscles, and minimize wear on joints.
- Daily Function: Many everyday movements originate from or involve the spine. Ensuring its health means maintaining mobility and functionality in daily life.
- Prevention: Neglecting spinal health can lead to a range of complications, including chronic pain, reduced mobility, and conditions like herniated discs or sciatica. Proper care helps to reduce the risk of these issues.
Who Is Susceptible To Poor Spine Health ?
Dr Penumatsa listed the factors contributing to poor spine health as follows:
- People who are obese
- People who sit for long hours without maintaining proper ergonomics
- People who lift heavy objects regularly
- People with limited sun exposure
Symptoms Of Poor Spine Health
Dr Penumatsa said, “Back and neck pains are the most common initial symptoms of poor spine health. Progression of these problems leads to nerve compression and spinal cord compression. This eventually leads to the occurrence of numbness of hands, weakness of legs, and bowel and bladder dysfunction.”
Also Read: Decoding Spinal Cord Injuries: Expert Lists Types And Levels Of Injury
Tips To Maintain Healthy Spine
Dr Penumatsa listed tips to maintain a healthy spine as follows:
- Taking extra care while lifting weights: While lifting an object, one should try to stand close to it and bend only the knees and then lift. Make sure you keep your back and head straight.
- Workspace adjustments: Dr Penumatsa said Following good ergonomics at work can go a long way in ensuring a healthy spine. Make sure to keep the laptop or desktop at eye level while working. Also, use furniture, especially chairs that give sufficient support to the lower back. Do not sit for long hours in the same position. Keep taking breaks at regular intervals and change the seating position as and when possible.
- Exercise regularly: Back strengthening exercises keep muscles relaxed. Also, activities like walking or swimming keep weight under control and help the muscles to stay active.
- Balanced diet: Dr Penumatsa added Balanced diet with the right amount of vitamins and nutrients helps in maintaining our overall health along with the spine. Some vital minerals for bone and muscles are vitamin D3, calcium, and magnesium. Vitamin D3 can be found in foods like fish, egg yolks, and curd. Our body also produces Vitamin D3 when exposed to sunlight.
[Disclaimer: The information in this article is shared by a registered healthcare professional and is for informational purposes only. Hence, we advise you to visit your physician if you notice any complications in the spine.]