Staying healthy is important if you want to live your life to the fullest. To take care of your body, you should stay physically fit and practice healthy habits. This will also have the added benefit of improving your mental health.
Part of maintaining your health involves seeking help if you feel ill, especially if it concerns your back. The spinal cord is one of the most important parts of your body, next to the brain. If you feel any back pain, seek professional chiropractic services for physical therapy in Salt Lake City or other nearby areas.
Prevention is always better than the cure, however. Learn about the various causes of spinal injuries to protect yourself better.
Traumatic Blow
A traumatic blow is defined as a physical impact done to the body. People who experience vehicular accidents have a chance of having traumatic back injuries. Motorcycle accidents, however, have a higher risk of dealing with traumatic back injuries.
Other causes of back trauma are falls and physical assault. Falls can happen to both the young and old. It usually occurs due to slippage, especially for the elderly who have poor coordination. People whose occupation involves heights are also at risk.
Avoid suffering fatal back injuries by being careful at all times. Use shoes that have high traction to prevent slipping on any surface. When driving, be diligent in following the rules of the road to avoid accidents from happening.
Muscle Strain
Sports athletes are the usual victims of this injury. In moments of carelessness, they can neglect to warm up before engaging in their activities. Their muscles will be stiff, so any sudden or strenuous activity can end up straining their shoulders and back.
Don’t forget to warm up and cool down to keep your muscles flexible and relaxed. If you’re recovering from a back injury, avoid straining yourself. Focus on rehabilitating your body by doing physical therapy regularly.
People who regularly lift heavy objects also have a risk of straining their back. Practice the proper carrying posture to avoid accidents. Prevent your back from handling the majority of the weight of the object. You should use your knees to lift your body from the ground.
Arthritis
Arthritis is defined as the inflammation of joints in the body due to the breakdown of cartilage between joints. Its symptoms are persistent joint pains, tenderness, and swelling. It can develop in any part of the body and have a chance of affecting the lower back.
Various factors can cause it. One factor is a physiological imbalance, such as abnormal metabolism or a dysfunctional immune system. Another is your inherent genetics. Fortunately, there are various ways you can minimize its chances of happening.
Manage your diet correctly and avoid eating foods that increase inflammation. Don’t eat food that is high in purine. Purine can elevate your uric acid levels and cause gout, a disease that is closely correlated to arthritis.
Infection
During spine surgeries, there’s a chance for bacteria to enter the open wound. If that happens, an abscess can form inside your spinal cord. This can cause a lot of problems for your health, as your spine is one of the most delicate parts of your body.
Watch out for the signs of spinal infection, especially after spinal surgery. Some of its symptoms are sudden and sharp back pains, progressive weakness, loss of sensation below the spine, and paralysis.
Treatment will require surgery to drain the spine of the pus. The spinal cord will then be sanitized thoroughly. After treatment, you will be prescribed antibiotics to remove any bacteria that has spread to your body.
It’s better to be safe than sorry when it comes to illnesses. Consult a medical professional immediately if you feel ill instead of waiting for it to pass. It can be a sign of a disease that requires urgent treatment.