How to have a strong and healthy spine for life

The spine is the most important part of the body when it comes to movement. The spine is a complex structure made up of bones, ligaments, muscles, and discs, and it is responsible for supporting the weight of the body and protecting the spinal cord.

Here are some tips on how to maintain a strong and healthy spine for life:

1. Exercise regularly

Regular exercise is one of the best ways to keep your spine healthy. Exercise strengthens the muscles and ligaments that support your spine. It also helps to improve your posture and keep your spine in alignment.

2. Maintain a healthy weight

Being overweight or obese puts extra strain on your spine. This can lead to back pain and other health problems.

3. Sit and stand up straight

Good posture is important for a healthy spine. When you sit, keep your back straight and your shoulders back. When you stand, keep your head up and your shoulders back.

4. Lift things properly

When you lift something heavy, bend at your knees, not your waist. Keep the object close to your body and avoid twisting your spine while lifting.

5. Sleep on a comfortable mattress

A comfortable mattress helps to support your spine. Avoid sleeping on your stomach as this can cause back pain.

6. See your doctor

If you have back pain, see your doctor.

As we age, the discs in our spine can degenerate or break down, leading to pain and other problems. In some cases, the entire disc may need to be removed and replaced with an artificial disc. The reason is these discs are the shock-absorbing cushions between the vertebrae. Each disc has a tough, outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a gel-like center (nucleus pulposus).

An artificial disc replacement is a surgical procedure to remove a damaged or degenerative disc and replace it with an artificial disc, whereas a spinal fusion fuses two discs together. This surgery is usually performed on the lower back (lumbar spine), but can also be done on the neck (cervical spine).

The artificial disc is made of metal and plastic and is designed to mimic the natural function of the intervertebral disc. The artificial disc is implanted between the vertebrae and replaces the damaged or degenerative disc. In the case of spinal fusion, the act of fusing the discs allows for no natural function.

Spine fusion and disc replacement are major surgical procedures and are usually only considered when other conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, pain medication, and epidural injections, have failed to relieve the pain.

The surgery itself is fairly complex and is usually done using a minimally invasive approach, which means small incisions are made in the back and a surgical camera is used to guide the surgeon.

After the artificial disc is in place or the spinal fusion complete, the incisions are closed and the patient is typically able to go home the same day. Recovery from disc replacement surgery and spinal fusion can take several weeks and it is important to follow the surgeon’s instructions for success.