Choosing Better Medical Care
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Choosing Better Medical Care

Do you remember the last time you received truly excellent medical care? Although it isn't always a common thing to find, you can have better luck by doing what you can to research different doctors and medical clinics. I wanted to share this website with the world, since this is what I have been doing for years. It has been a really excellent journey to find different ways to keep great care of myself, and I know that it is all due to the help of my great doctor. Read more about self care on this blog, so that you don't have to settle for anything less than the best.

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Choosing Better Medical Care

Why Exercise Is Almost Always Your Spine's Best Friend

Chris Burke

Want to know what one of the best ways to protect your spine is? Exercise. From increasing flexibility to strengthening the muscles that surround the spine (as well as the muscles in your core), exercise provides many benefits that help keep your spine in great shape. There are times when exercise and motion need to stop, of course, but even then, adding exercise back in is a goal that many doctors will have you work toward.

Strength and Stability

Strong back muscles support your spine. They cushion it and support it when there is excessive stress pulling on it. Should something happen -- you fall, you are in an accident, you're hit by a ball while playing a competitive sport -- those muscles help keep your spine safer than it would be if you didn't have good muscle tone. Your core muscles in your abdomen also help keep you standing upright so that you don't slouch and place even more stress on your spine. Plus, your posture looks so much better when you have a strong back and core.

Recovery Time

It used to be that any sort of pain or injury automatically meant physical activity was a big no for a long time. Resting and lots of medication were the main treatments, resulting in a distinct loss of strength and possible lingering pain. Rest and medication still play a role in recovery now, but in many cases, working to get back into an exercise routine, even if it's a different one than what you had before, is a key part of recovery. The sooner you start moving, the better your circulation and the shorter your recovery time.

However, you never want to overdo exercise when you're injured, and if your doctor tells you to stop exercising for a certain amount of time, listen. And of course, it's very common to find that you have to restrict the type of exercise you do. But don't be surprised if your doctor tells you that after X-amount of days or weeks you need to start walking or swimming or doing another low-impact exercise.

Easier Lifting (Though Watch Out)

Do you have a strong back, arms, and legs? Lifting heavy items will be easier simply because you'll be stronger and your joints will be better cushioned against the strain. Be careful, though; being strong does not mean you're invincible. If you twist the wrong way when lifting, you can zap your back even while holding an empty box. Follow all good practices when lifting, but exercise so that the overall strain is less.

Get more information about protecting your spine and recovering from an injury when you talk to a spine disorder or surgery specialist. If you have a spinal disorder, too, see if exercise can help mitigate some of the effects.


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