For many of us, poor back health is a reality we live with every day. But your back isn’t against the wall to live with back pain for good—there are actionable steps you can take to improve your back health and live more of the life you want.

So, what can you do with a healthy back, and what can you do to make your back healthier?

Exercise

A healthy back enables you to more easily hit the gym or trail. Exercise can be fun and made more enjoyable by having a healthy back. Cardio and weight training are especially rewarding and satisfying when tracking progress and gains.

Tip: It can be difficult to maintain an exercise routine, but regular exercise is excellent for your back. Start with low impact exercises, like walking and the recumbent bike, to build muscle strength and flexibility. Try downloading an app, like MyFitnessPal, to help you track and reach your fitness goals.

Sports and Activities

It’s great fun to join the traditional Thanksgiving family football game. And who doesn’t love to shoot hoops with their loved ones and friends? Or play a tennis match? When you have a healthy back, these activities can’t be beat. But what about when you don’t have a healthy back?

Tip: You don’t have to miss out on the fun for long. Build up your back strength with regular exercise and stretching. You can also play low impact sports and games. Swimming is one of the best low impact sports. Consider pickleball instead of tennis. Or play a game of horse instead of a game of 3-on-3. Focus on improving your back’s strength and flexibility, and you might find yourself on the court in no time. 

Walking

There are fewer better ways to exercise than a good walk. It feels good to breathe the fresh air, take in your surroundings, and chat with a walking partner.

Tip: When walking, avoid looking down too much; this can cause unnecessary stress on your neck and back. Avoid slouching. Be sure to push from your rear leg, and try not to roll your hips. 

More of What You Want to Do

When your back health is poor, it can be a struggle just to bring in the groceries. But with a healthy back, it’s easier to do more of what you want to do. Good back health enables you to play with the kids and grandkids, enjoy being outdoors, travel more comfortably, and more. And good back health is within reach, especially under the care of a good chiropractor.

Tip: Follow us on social media for more tips, check out our excellent catalog of blogs on many topics regarding back and spine health. And come see us for an appointment, where we can assess your individual needs and develop a tailored plan to help you reach your back-health goals.