There are public and published ways to decrease your risk of injury and ensure a healthy spine throughout all stages of life.

  • Make healthy food choices and eat balanced meals throughout the day. Nutrient rich foods provide essential vitamins and minerals to bones, muscles and tissues.
  • Healthy eating habits promote a healthy body weight. Extra weight can cause undue stress to the spine.
  • Drink plenty of water. The spinal cord is made up of approximately 60% water. If you are dehydrated, your spine will be affected.
  • Limit caffeine and alcohol intake.
  • If you smoke, quit. Smoking impairs blood flow and decreases oxygen absorption which negatively impacts all body systems.