The best way to ensure you get off to a good start each day

Approach your day like a really long exercise routine- whether your job involves a lot of moving or barely any movement at all is immaterial. Each type of job comes with a unique set of risk factors for your spine. One way to prevent these risk factors from doing damage to your spine is to prevent them altogether by strengthening and stretching the supporting back muscles as soon as you wake up. A morning stretch routine has the further advantage of: 

• Getting your blood moving
• Decreasing tension in the musculature
• Improving range of motion in your spinal joints

Read on to find out about a few key yoga poses that can be done every morning, even in a hurry.

A morning routine to prevent back pain

Your spine craves elongation- that’s the opposite of the compression that you likely put it through during your working hours. Here are some yoga poses that can be done in combination in under 5 minutes to elongate the spine and alleviate tension from the surrounding musculature:

• Downward facing dog: 30 seconds.
• Child’s pose: rest and relax in this pose, practicing deep breathing for 30 seconds. 
• Cat and cow stretches: this two-stretch sequence is an all-star for decompression. Try to hold each pose for 30 seconds. 

Living pain free starts from the moment you wake up

Any new exercise regime should start with a visit to a health specialist. At Hayes Family Chiropractic, we help the members of our community design individually-tailored plans to account for their level of fitness and spinal condition. We can show you how to make simple stretches and yoga poses effect powerful changes in the way your back feels throughout the day. If you are looking to add a layer of natural protection to your back care regime, give our office in Dunedin a call to schedule an appointment today.