Union Anesthesia Associates

Proper Diet and Hydration for a Healthy Spine

Preventing back pain requires more than just working to avoid injury during physical activities. Because the aging process and certain medical conditions can affect your spinal health, you should focus on back pain prevention from a nutritional perspective, as well. Providing your body with the right foods and staying hydrated can make a big difference in your health which you will feel in your spine. Here are some tips to help you get what you need out of your diet:

·         Carry a bottle of water with you everywhere. When you are properly hydrated, your body is better able to move, digest foods, and repair itself from damage. To make sure that you drink enough water throughout the day, carry a reusable water bottle or cup with you and fill it regularly. Water lubricates the joints and facilitates good blood circulation, so you should consume six to eight glasses of it per day.

·         Eat more fruits and vegetables. You can take a daily vitamin supplement to give your body essential nutrients like vitamins A, B12, and D, as well as iron, magnesium, and calcium, but consuming these nutrients through whole food sources offers your body more complete nutrition. By incorporating a diverse spread of fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, as well as whole grains and lean protein sources, you can get all of the nourishment you need to stay strong and healthy.

·         Reduce your consumption of processed foods: Processed foods contain high concentrations of sodium, fat, and sugars without offering much nutritional value to your diet. Consuming such foods will promote weight gain and prevent you from eating healthier options that can contribute to your musculoskeletal health, so you should limit the amount of processed foods that are in your diet.

Learn more about eating to encourage a pain-free lifestyle by scheduling a consultation with Union Anesthesia Associates. We can help you get back to your routine after a spine injury or prevent such an injury from ever occurring with early care for minor spinal conditions. Check out our website or call us at (908) 364-2539 to meet our team and make an appointment for your first visit. 

How to Stretch Your Spine at the Office

When you spend your day in a computer chair, you may be in pain because of it. To reverse the damaging effects of sitting for the majority of the day, you can do some simple stretches at your chair using office yoga techniques.

This video discusses one stretch that will allow you to extend your whole back without leaving your cubicle. Simply sit up tall and twist to each side so that you are looking behind you with the turning motion. As you do this, you will feel taller and in better alignment, so you can maintain better posture throughout the day.

For more spine care tips and a look at your spinal health, schedule a visit to Union Anesthesia Associates. Contact us on our website or call (908) 364-2539 to learn how we can help you live without back pain.

Resources for Dealing with Chronic Back and Neck Pain

Lower back pain affects countless Americans. It can be caused by disease, overuse, aging, and traumatic injury. For information about the treatments for chronic pain, contact Union Anesthesia and Pain Management by calling (908) 364-2539 or by visiting our website.

·         This article from the International Journal of Medical Sciences discusses the use of endoscopic laser facet rhizotomy for the treatment of facet arthritic pain.

·         Learn more about endoscopic laser surgery for back pain with this EmpowHer.com article.

·         Visit this WebMD.com article for more information on the causes of low back pain.

·         What is spondylolisthesis? Find out with this SpineUniverse.com article.

·         Explore this link from MedicineNet.com for an overview of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

What's Weighing You Down? A Look at Weight and Spinal Health

Your spine is an intricate system that contains 26 vertebra bones, along with intervertebral discs, nerves, ligaments, and tendons that serve to protect your spinal cord, support the weight of your body, and enable your body to twist and bend properly. While increasing age and genetic factors can increase your risk for several spinal conditions, the health of your spine is also directly related to many lifestyle factors. Continue reading to learn how your weight can impact your spinal health.

How Weight Impacts Your Spine

Excess weight around your midsection forces your pelvis to pull forward, straining the structures in your lower back and putting an unnecessary amount of pressure on your spine. This not only increases your risk for back and neck injuries, but can also lead to a number of other detrimental conditions. As a result, individuals who are overweight or obese are at an increased risk for back pain, joint conditions, and muscle strain.

Associated Spinal Conditions

In addition to back pain, muscle strain, and joint tenderness, individuals who are at an unhealthy weight may suffer from a number serious of spinal conditions. These include, but are not limited to, herniated spinal discs, sciatica, pinched nerves, osteoarthritis, and spinal stenosis.

Steps You Can Take

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising on a regular basis are great ways to manage your weight and reduce your risk of spinal conditions. When diet and exercise are not enough, you should consider consulting a pain management specialist to learn more about your lifestyle modification options.

With several years of experience, the spine doctors at Union Anesthesia Associates are devoted to diagnosing the underlying cause of your back or neck pain and determining the appropriate treatment method for your needs. For information on minimally invasive spine surgery, endoscopic spine surgery, and non-surgical treatment options, call our New Jersey medical center today at (908) 364-2539.

Explore More Of The World Of Spinal Health With Union Anesthesia Associates

Maintaining the integrity of your spine is essential to promoting your overall health and wellness. Check out these resources from around the web for more information on how your weight impacts your spine, spinal arthritis, endoscopic laser facet rhizotomy procedures, and how your sacroiliac joints are related to back pain. Give Union Anesthesia Associates a call at (908) 364-2539 for more information on our services.

·         Explore this article from Spine-Health.com to learn how your weight affects the health of your spine.

·         This article from U.S. News provides more information about the connections between weight and back pain.

·         What causes arthritis? Find out with this article from MedicalNewsToday.com.

·         Are you at risk for spinal osteoarthritis? Check out this WebMD.com article to learn more.

·         Check out this article from the American Chiropractic Association to learn how many individuals suffer from back pain at any given time.