Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi | Date: January 19, 2026
Our spinal discs are an incredibly important component of our spinal complex. These strong but flexible discs sit between our vertebral segments and give the spine its flexibility. Like any structure, they are susceptible to damage and deterioration, and because these discs act as shock absorbers as you move, they are an area that typically experiences age- and stress-related degeneration.
Keeping these discs strong and healthy isn’t easy, but doing so will ensure you remain mobile long into your golden years. With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to share five keys to preserving the health of your spinal discs.
How To Keep Your Spinal Discs Healthy
Keeping your spinal discs healthy involves providing the right type of environment for them to thrive in. Here’s what we recommend.
- Exercise – Regular exercise is essential if you’re hoping to have strong and durable spinal discs. Many people think that because stress and pressure can serve to speed up disc degeneration that exercise can be harmful to their spine, but your discs need regular healthy stress to function optimally. Be careful not to overload your spine, but regular exercise is likely the single best thing you can do for the health of your spinal discs.
- Weight Management – Some of the stress your spinal discs handle comes from the weight of your body. These forces are amplified when you’re moving, so the heavier you are, the more stress your discs are under with each step you take. Shedding just a few pounds and working to maintain a healthy weight can do wonders for the health of your spinal discs.
- Eat Right – Consuming a healthy diet will make it easier for you to work towards a healthy weight, but it also ensures that your body and your spinal discs have access to key vitamins and nutrients that help them thrive. Staying hydrated also makes it easier for blood to circulate and bring these nutrients to all the structures in your spine.
- Watch Your Posture – You don’t need to be exercising to be putting excessive strain on your spine. If you have poor posture while you’re driving in the car, doing the dishes or working in the office, you may be slowly overloading your spinal discs. Having ideal posture can ensure correct stress distribution and greatly slow down natural degeneration that can occur over the years. Really take heed of your posture throughout the day and make adjustments as needed to correct misalignments.
- Sleep – Sleep in and of itself won’t lead to amazingly strong spinal discs, but regular restful sleep is crucial for the health of your spinal discs. Sleep is a restorative process that helps our body flush out toxins, repair tissue and recover from the stress of each day. If you don’t regularly get healthy sleep, inflammation and other issues can arise that compromise the health of your spinal discs and the spinal complex as a whole. Getting at least 7-8 hours or more of uninterrupted sleep is an essential aspect of total disc health.
If you’re struggling with any of these aspects, or you need help overcoming a spinal issue that is limiting your physical capabilities, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.
Related
