The human body is a structure that rests completely on the support of its framework composed of bones and muscles. The centre point of this framework rests on your spine. You may often find yourself indulging in activities damaging your spine.

You may constantly use your dominant side for daily activities like driving while resting the other arm on the console or carry your child on one hip. You may not even notice when your body adopts crooked postures and most of the time the symptoms that occur as a result may not be confined to your spine. If you have knee pain, lower back pain, shoulder or neck pain then these are the warning signs for a body out of balance.

If you have a healthy spine, you enjoy an active lifestyle with minimal effort. Have you ever wondered how your daily habits can mould the structure of your spine to provide better support? Well if you were not aware, you are about to find out.

Facts about the spine curvature

A healthy well-balanced spine is a result of healthy postural practices. There are three postural deviations that you should be aware of about your spine:

  • Kyphosis: This can result when the chest muscles are tight but the back muscles are limp resulting in an excessive curvature of the spine. This can also be the result of a natural aging process in individuals with poor posture habits.
  • Lordiosis: In this condition the lower back region (lumbar region) develops an excessive arch. This can be a result of weakened abs causing the back to get pulled out of alignment.
  • Scoliosis: The spine develops an abnormal S-shaped curvature in this condition. Although it may be inherited as a genetic condition, it can also be created over years of muscle imbalance and faulty movement habits.

How can you take care of your spine

The easiest and the most efficient way to patch up your spine is to exercise regularly. Concentrate on workouts that involve whole body contribution rather than focusing on strengthening one portion of this intricately connected machine. Exercising that focus on strengthening your CORE like pilates are most effective at restoring the balance of your spine. Always remember that a balanced workout will do you more good than just concentrating on one portion of your body and creating an imbalance. So if you are doing exercises to strengthen your torso, they should ideally be combined with exercises that enhance the stability and functional movement of your spine. Here is how this is done:

  • Spine stability: These exercises involve moving your arms and legs while keeping your pelvis and back completely still.
  • Functional movement: This involves moving your spine/back in all directions while keeping your arms and legs still.
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How to make your life balanced?

Not only does a stable and healthy core allow you to articulate every segment of your spine from the head to the tail in ALL directions, it helps keep the muscles of your torso and your limb girdles flexible and balanced.

As Bob Harper said, “You’re only as young as your spine is flexible”.

Not only should you exercise to strengthen your spine but you should incorporate healthy habits in your lifestyle. Eat healthy, watch your weight, get plenty of fluids, sufficient sleep and maintain your posture. And learn to restore balance to your body mind and spirit.

image source:  bodyshapeshiftersonline