Aging seems to bring about its own slew of illnesses—usually in the form of swollen joints and persistent back pain. It’s a stage of life most don’t look forward to. Similar to one’s infancy, retirement means becoming extremely reliant on adults yet again.

Becoming physically helpless in your senior years is not an inevitability, however. Most of the issues our bodies experience in old age are usually due to bad habits during youth. Spinal problems are one of the most common examples of this dilemma.

If you want to avoid having back problems in the future, the best way to begin is to examine your daily habits. Certain parts of your routine can cause spinal issues to develop, despite what you may think.

Posture

Be wary of the sitting position you settle into as you work at your desk. While it may feel comfortable, it can be one of the biggest contributors to bad posture. Bad posture harms your spine, causing it unnecessary stress and strain.

A few more factors can contribute to spinal issues, like the way you wear your backpack. Use both of the straps when carrying it on your back so that the weight is distributed evenly.

If you work in construction, bad lifting practices can cause spinal strain. Most employees aren’t taught proper lifting, which relies on the arms and legs instead of the back. 

Footwear

If your occupation requires you to wear heels at work, you’re at a higher risk of developing back problems. Using heels shifts your center of gravity forward. To balance, you tend to lean backward, which causes spinal strain when done for prolonged periods.

If you’ve noticed some of these habits in your routine, you might be experiencing a few back issues. If you ever feel severe back pain or numbness, make sure to consult a chiropractor from Salt Lake City immediately, as those are symptoms of serious medical problems.

Otherwise, make sure to correct your bad habits by working on these suggestions. 

Workplace Practices

Modify your desk’s layout to make it more ergonomic. Start with your seat height. It’s too high if it forces you to slouch and too low if it doesn’t allow you to see your work. The optimal height is the eye level to your screen, which encourages you to keep your back straight.

If you’re required to wear heels at work, make sure to keep a pair of flats around. Swap it with your heels once your work is done for the day. Do this if you commute to and from the workplace. Your feet and back will thank you.

Posture Exercises

If you spend long hours behind your desk, take a few minutes to rest and stretch on occasion. Always try to maintain good posture—correct yourself immediately if you catch yourself slouching or hunching your back.

Try to incorporate a few minutes of light exercise into your daily routine. Do activities that are focused on increasing your back strength and flexibility. Consider going to yoga classes regularly, as the back area is one of the focuses of their workout routine. Your back is one of the most delicate parts of your body, which you’re bound to realize as you get older. Identifying and removing the bad habits that contribute to back issues if one of the best ways you can minimize back-related ailments from happening to you in the future.