If not every day, at least once a week we clean up our houses and brutally torture our spines. Strained legs and back, active arm movements, weight lifting – that even sounds dangerous.
How to avoid it
- Don’t wash the floor with your hands and a floorcloth. Use a mop or a brush instead.
3. Lacing up your shoes
Everything we do in a bent posture harms our intervertebral discs. Under constant pressure, nutritional substances leave the spine, and it flattens. This results in pressing and jabbing pains in one area or another. A new supply of necessary elements is only refilled when our bodies feel comfortable – for instance, in sleep. In light of this, it’s crucial that we monitor the sensations in our backs during the day and don’t put them to a strength test.
How to avoid it
- It’s recommended to lace your shoes when seated and with your leg pulled up. Don’t do it crouched on the floor or standing and bending over.
2. Carrying a backpack
Backpacks aren’t just popular with school students. We often jam them full of stuff in a bid to use all the available space. Heavy weights and incorrect carrying have a negative impact on the spine.
How to avoid it
- Backpacks have two straps for a reason. Use both of them for an even distribution of the load.
- Give preference to backpacks with wide and soft straps. They provide better shock absorption and lower the pressure on your neck and spine.
1. Taking heavy objects from above
When you reach up for something, your spine stretches. Now imagine what happens to your spinal discs when all the weight of a suitcase, even an empty one, collapses on them at that moment. It’s like throwing a brick on a balloon. Of course, the discs won’t burst, but the consequences can be nasty if you repeat that action regularly.
How to avoid it
- If you need to take something heavy from above, use a chair to reduce the pressure to a minimum. Ideally, the weight should be at the level of your chest.
