Love your spine and keep it healthy! Have you followed these 5 good habits to protect your spine?

In the busy pace of life, our bodies are often under great pressure, especially the spine, which silently supports the weight of our body. As an important pillar of the human body, it is not only related to the beauty of our body, but also closely related to our health.

Yi Zhenyu, deputy chief physician from the Second Department of Orthopedics (Spinal Surgery) of Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine), will educate you on common diseases and health care knowledge of the spine, making this "pillar of life" more resilient and upright.

1. What important role does the spine play in the human body?

The spine, which consists of five parts: the cervical vertebrae, thoracic vertebrae, lumbar vertebrae, sacral vertebrae and coccyx, is shaped like a long spring, which is both tough and elastic. It is not only the supporting structure of the body, but also the key to protecting the spinal cord, an important nerve tissue. The spinal cord is responsible for transmitting information between the brain and various parts of the body. Once the spine is damaged, it may affect the normal function of the body.

2. What are the common spinal diseases?

1. Cervical spondylosis

Looking down at your phone or computer for a long time, or sitting in an incorrect posture, can put too much pressure on the cervical spine, leading to cervical spondylosis. Symptoms include neck pain and stiffness, and in severe cases, numbness in the arms and dizziness.

2. Lumbar disc herniation

As people age, the water content of the lumbar disc decreases, and the elasticity decreases. Long-term heavy physical labor or bad posture can easily lead to lumbar disc herniation. Patients will feel pain in the waist, which may even affect the movement of the legs.

3. Scoliosis

This is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine, including abnormalities in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes. Mild scoliosis may not cause obvious symptoms, but severe scoliosis can affect a patient's respiratory function and mental health.

3. How to protect the spine through daily habits?

1. Maintain a correct sitting posture

Whether you are working or studying, you should keep your back straight and your feet flat on the ground, and avoid lowering your head or twisting your body for long periods of time. Get up and move around every once in a while to relieve pressure on your spine.

2. Choose the right mattress

The mattress should not be too soft or too hard, but should be able to support all parts of the body and maintain the natural curvature of the spine. You can try to lie on your side so that the spine, hips and shoulders are in a straight line. This is the right mattress.

3. Strengthen core muscle exercises

Strong core muscles can provide better support for the spine. You can try exercises such as plank support and crunches to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and back.

4. Proper stretching

Proper stretching during work breaks or after exercise can help relax tense muscles and prevent spinal stiffness. Movements such as neck rotation and lumbar scoliosis can effectively relieve spinal pressure.

5. Avoid staying in the same posture for a long time

Whether you are looking at your phone, computer or driving, you should avoid staying in the same posture for a long time. Changing your posture every once in a while, or getting up and walking around, can effectively reduce the burden on your spine.

Feng Shuaihua, deputy chief physician and head of the Second Department of Orthopedics (Spinal Surgery) at Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Provincial Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine), reminded: Spinal health is related to the quality of life of each of us. Through correct sitting posture, suitable mattress, strengthening exercise and proper stretching, we can all improve our spinal health. Let us act together to protect this "pillar of life" and enjoy a healthier and better life.

Hunan Medical Chat Special Author: Yi Zhenyu, Department of Spine Surgery II, Hunan Provincial Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine (Affiliated Hospital of Hunan Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine)

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(Edited by ZS)