2. BE MORE AWARE OF YOUR HEALTH AND BODY.
IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING PAIN REALIZE THAT PAIN IS A WARNING SIGNAL ALERTING YOU THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THE BEST ADVICE IS TO GET A CHIROPRACTIC EXAMINATION TO DETERMINE WHAT IS CAUSING YOUR PAIN AND RECEIVE THE TREATMENT THAT IS NEEDED.

IGNORING THE PAIN CAN RESULT IN TIE CONDITION GETTING WORSE OVER TIME.

OTHER SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS TO WATCH OUT FOR OTHER THAN OBVIOUS PAIN SYMPTOMS THAT MAY ALERT YOU OF A PROBLEM WOULD BE:

1 - STIFFNESS IN THE SPINE OR ANY JOINT IN THE ARMS OR LEGS
2 - ATTEMPTING TO CONSTANTLY RELIEVE TENSION IN YOUR SPINE
3 - CRAMPS, OR MUSCLE SPASMS
4 - LOSS OR MOTION OR FLEXIBILITY AND/OR PAIN IN MOTION WHEN TWISTING, BENDING, EXTENDING ETC (CAN COMPARE ONE SIDE TO THE OTHER)
5 - LOSS OF ENERGY
6 - HEAD PRESSURE
7 - HEADACHES
8 - TROUBLE SLEEPING
9 - MUSCLE TENSION
10-WEAKNESS INTO ARMS, HAND GRIP, STRENGTH OR LEGS
11- NUMBNESS AND TINGLING INTO THE SPINE ARMS OR LEGS
12- POOR POSTURE

3. MAINTAIN GOOD POSTURE AND BODY MECHANICS
KEEP YOUR EARS AND SHOULDER IN ALIGNMENT IN THE SAME DIRECTIONS AS THE HIPS WHEN STANDING OR SITTING. OTHER RISK FACTORS THAT CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SPINAL PAIN WOULD BE REPETITIVE BENDING, TWISTING, AND HEAVY LIFTING (SEE OUR GOOD POSTURE TIPS AND RULES TO LIVE BY SECTION)

4. EXERCISE REGULARLY
EXERCISE KEEPS YOUR MUSCLES WELL TONED AND STRONG AND PREVENTS THEM FROM WEAKNESS. EXERCISE WHICH INCLUDES STRETCHING ALSO INCREASES FLEXIBILITY. (STRETCHING SHOULD BE DONE BEFORE AND AFTER
EXERCISE. CHOOSE AN EXERCISE THAT YOU LIKE SUCH AS WALKING OR SWIMMING. WARM UP EXERCISES ARE ALSO IMPORTANT. "FIRST CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE ENGAGING IN ANY EXERCISE PROGRAM

5. CONTROL STRESS
STRESS (MENTAL AND PHYSICAL) CAN CAUSE SPINAL MUSCLES TO BECOME MORE TIGHT AND WHICH CAN CONTRIBUTE TO SPINAL PROBLEMS. AVOID AS MUCH STRESS AS YOU CAN. ENJOY LEISURE ACTIVITIES AND SPEND TIME WITH PEOPLE YOU ENJOY. YOUR CHIROPRACTOR WILL ALSO HAVE OTHER ADVICE TO HELP YOU CONTROL AND TREAT THE EFFECTS OF STRESS ON YOUR BODY, YOUR SPINE AND NERVOUS SYSTEM.

6. EAT WELL
A GOOD DIET WILL ALSO HELP YOU HAVE A HEALTHIER SPINE. A WELL BALANCED DIET IS THE KEY. EAT 6-10 SERVINGS A DAY OF STARCHES AND GRAINS (CARBOHYDRATES). THESE FOODS INCLUDE BREAD, CEREAL, RICE AND PASTA AND SHOULD MAKE UP THE LARGEST PART OF YOUR DIET. FRUIT AND VEGETABLES WILL PROVIDE MANY NUTRIENTS. 2-5 SERVINGS OF EACH SHOULD BE EATEN PER DAY. 2-3 SERVINGS OF PROTEIN, AND 2-3 SERVINGS OF MILK PRODUCTS. SHOULD ALSO BEN IN YOUR DIET. THESE INCLUDE MEAT, FISH, POULTRY, DRY BEANS, EGGS, AND NUTS. 1% MILK, COTTAGE CHEESE & NON FAT CHEESE ETC.

CARE SHOULD DE TAKEN WHEN ADDING SUGAR AND FATS (BUTTER, OILS, ETC.) TO FOODS WHEN COOKING. LIMIT FRIED FOODS USE HEALTHIER OILS SUCH AS OLIVE OIL AND SUNFLOWER OIL.

7. MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BODY WEIGHT.