Activities that can damage your spine
The spine is literally the backbone of the
body. Yet, how well do we take care of our back? Here's a list of
everyday activities that harm your spine. Which of the below chores are
you guilty of doing badly?
1. Brushing your teeth
Standing puts pressure on the spine, more
so than during a long walk. So, if you stand for a couple of hours each
day, find a way to mitigate the harmful influence on your spine.
What to do: When brushing your teeth, lean your free hand on the wall or
the sink to alleviate the pressure of standing.
2. Doing the dishes
Often, when washing up we tend to stand in a
half-bent position with strained arms. Consequently, the intervertebral
discs of the thoracic area of the spine wear out quickly, leading to
pain between the shoulder blades.
What to do: Keep your spine straight while washing the dishes and put a
chair or a stool under your knee when you wash up to help lower the
pressure.
3. Changing a car wheel
Changing a car wheel can be challenging for
some and puts a lot of pressure on the spine if done incorrectly,
causing a pain in the back for the rest of the day.
What to do: Rather than bending over the wheel, sit on the ground next
to it so that your eyes are at the same level as the car's fender.
4. Carrying bags from the supermarket
When heading to the supermarket, be sure to
take more than one bag with you. For the sake of your spine, never
skimp on a second bag.
What to do: Heavy objects should be lifted with your knees bent. For
women, this would mean lifting anything above 2kg and for men, anything
above 5kg.
5. Washing the floor
While we may not clean our homes every day,
just doing so once a week can have an impact on our spines. Strained
legs and back and active arm movements while cleaning can affect our
spine.
What to do: To lighten the load on your spine, don't wash the floor on
your knees. Use a mop instead.
6. Lacing up your shoes
Whatever we do in a crouched posture has an
impact on our intervertebral discs. If constant pressure is applied to
your spine, pressing and jabbing pains may occur. It is therefore
crucial to monitor the sensations in the spine throughout the day.
What to do: When lacing your shoes, sit on a chair and pull your leg up
or kneel down. Avoid leaning over from a standing position.
7. Carrying a backpack
Backpacks can get pretty heavy, but
heaviness as well as incorrect carrying can have a negative impact on
the spine.
What to do: Backpacks have two straps for a reason. To distribute the
load evenly use them both. Opt for backpacks with wider and softer
straps. They provide better shock absorption and reduce the pressure on
the neck and the spine.
8. Reaching for heavy objects
When you reach up for something your spine
stretches. But, when you add the weight of a suitcase to your stretched
spinal discs, this can wreck havoc on your spine.
What to do: Use a chair, reducing the pressure on your spine to a
minimum and ideally, when reaching for a heavy object it should be at
the level of your chest.