Category: Spine | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
If your mother and father have red hair, there’s a good chance that you stand to have red hair as well, at least compared to the average person. We inherit a lot of physical traits and predispositions from our parents, both good and bad. However, just because you have a family history of great teeth or sciatic nerve pain doesn’t mean you’re guaranteed to experience the same fate. We may have a genetic predisposition for certain physical traits, but you still have a fair amount of control over certain health issues.
For example, back pain is a problem that can certainly have a genetic component. Some patients are at a heightened risk for issues like degenerative spinal discs or sciatic nerve impingement than others, but having a family history of a specific back ailment doesn’t mean you’re doomed to the same fate. If you’re aware that a specific back problem is common in your family, use this knowledge to your advantage to work to prevent it from becoming an issue in your life. With that in mind, we want to use today’s blog to discuss what you should do if specific spine issues run in your family.
Breaking The Curse Of Generational Spine Pain
If you want to avoid becoming another statistic when it comes to the curse of family back pain, keep these tips in mind.
- Exercise – Regular exercise is wonderful for your spine and your whole body health, but it’s especially important if you have a genetic predisposition to back issues. Exercise will help to keep your spine and its supportive structures strong, in turn limiting the likelihood of common issues like disc degeneration or muscular imbalances. Building a strong core can go a long way towards helping you have ideal spine health now and in the future.
- Diet/Weight Management – You’ll also want to be cognizant of your dietary choices and your weight if you have a family history of back issues. Being overweight or obese will put additional strain on your spine, which can accelerate the degeneration process and increase your risk of inflammation-related spine problems like nerve impingement or sciatica. Pairing smart dietary choices with regular exercise is a great recipe for ideal weight management.
- Spinal Consult – It’s also wise to talk with your primary care physician or a spine specialist about your family history. They will be able to make personalized recommendations based on your individual health and family history. They can also conduct regular checks and assessments to catch any issues in their infancy when treatment is most effective.
- Proactive Treatment – If prevention fails and an issue develops, it’s time to throw yourself into a proactive treatment program. Taking medications and long-term rest won’t help you make the strongest recovery, so listen to your provider and follow their active intervention recommendations. Odds are controlled exercise, physical therapy and biomechanical improvements will be much more effective at providing long-term relief for your back ailment. Being proactive in your pursuit of treatment can keep spine issues from becoming chronic, which can be more common if you have a genetic predisposition.
- Strive For Ideal Posture – Finally, while ideal posture is helpful for people in all walks of life, it’s especially important for those with a genetic predisposition to spine pain. Similar to weight management, having poor posture will put excessive strain on your neck and spine, which can accelerate the degenerative process. Having ideal posture and correct form when exercising or participating in athletics can reduce stress on your spine and its supportive structures. Make it a point to have healthy posture when you’re seated, standing and moving.
Twin Cities Spine Surgeon
Keep these tips in mind and be sure to reach out to Dr. Sinicropi and the team at The Midwest Spine & Brain Institute if you have questions or concerns about a specific spine issue. For more information, reach out to our office today at (651) 430-3800.
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