When you are experiencing back pain there are many other things that suffer. Your energy is lower and your favourite activities can become difficult. Activities of daily living such as getting in and out of the car, lifting a child, or carrying groceries can become painful and tiring. Even if you are not feeling sore, your back may be stressed and headed toward injury. See how well your back scores below.

Indicators of a Healthy Back

  1. Good posture. A healthy back can hold itself up straight with relatively little effort. Slouched posture, on the other hand, puts stress on your spinal joints and discs, and even your lungs and stomach.
  2. Ease of movement. Ease of movement means lack of stiffness or limitations when doing things like getting in and out of a chair or car, or bending over to pick something up. If you are usually stiff, your back may need treatment to gain function back.
  3. Range of motion. Range of motion is about your ability to bend and turn your spine and body. For example, can you:
    • Turn your chin to your shoulder?
    • Go past your knees when bending forward to touch your toes?
    • Reach your knees with your fingers when bending sideways?
    • Tilt your head far enough back to see the ceiling without bending your back?

    Reduced flexibility may be a sign that your spine isn’t moving properly. This can be corrected with chiropractic care.

  4. Performance. A healthy back should be able to sustain physical activities such as gardening or spring house cleaning, without being so sore the next day that you can hardly function. It is ok to be a little stiff, but not to the point where you have trouble moving.

Tips for a Healthy Back

  • Always, be posture conscious when sitting, standing, and even sleeping – sleeping on your back or side is best for your spine.
  • Build core muscle strength. That means the muscles in your abdomen, back and sides. Your muscles hold your spine upright and supports your joints.
  • Stay well-hydrated to keep the discs of your spine healthy, so they can do their job in providing shock absorption.
  • Practice good nutrition for healthy bones and muscles, and to prevent osteoporosis.
  • Take frequent stretching breaks to keep your back mobilized.
  • Practice safe lifting techniques. Keep your back straight, bend your knees and use your leg muscles to lift. Bend at the hips and not the lumbar spine.

Think about the health of your back before it hurts. A lack of pain does not mean everything is working properly. A spinal assessment, especially after a fall or sprain, is a good investment in your back’s health.