
7 Everyday Habits with Lasting Effects on Your Spine
What are some common everyday habits that affect the spine?
- Sitting for too long
- Bad posture
- Not enough exercise or movement
- Lifting heavy things incorrectly
- Smoking
- Wearing certain kinds of shoes
- Sleeping in certain positions or on a sagging mattress
Sitting for too long

Bad posture
Sitting isn’t the only time your posture affects your spine. Even when standing, your posture can still be slouched, affecting your shoulders and upper back as well. Unfortunately, this is quite common today since many spend their time looking down at screens with bent necks and rounded shoulders. The key to having a better posture is to be aware when you’re losing it. Remind yourself regularly to keep your back straight, square your shoulders, and loosen the tension in your neck.Not enough exercise or movement
Your muscles, ligaments, and tendons all need movement to function. Without regular movement and exercise, your body may become stiff. This can be temporary, but if it continues, it can get much worse and affect your spine permanently. Your weight can also contribute back pain. Excessive weight gain with no exercise puts too much pressure on the bones, making overweight people suffer more spinal injuries over time.Lifting heavy things incorrectly

- Get close to the object—don’t just lean toward it as this will strain your upper back and shoulders.
- Bend your knees (not your back!) and get a firm grip on the object.
- Lift the object straight upwards (no twisting!) in one fluid motion.
- Hold it close to your body as you move—again, don’t lean toward the object.
- Bend your knees when you put it down.
Smoking
Among a wide array of other symptoms, spine and tissue degeneration is another bad effect of nicotine on the body. This is because nicotine restricts the blood flow toward the discs of the spine which cushions the vertebrae. It also reduces the absorption of calcium, an important vitamin for bone growth and strength. This means that people who smoke often have weaker spines compared to non-smokers and are more prone to bone diseases like osteoporosis. When a smoker experience a broken bone, it may heal more slowly due to the lack of calcium. Worse, it can also affect other bones in your body—even in shocking areas such as your mouth. When you smoke, you're more likely to experience tooth decay, and may need the assistance of an experienced dentist in Drummoyne.Wearing certain kinds of shoes
Some shoes affect the spine, too. Shoes without a proper cushion for your feet cause your spine to arch uncomfortably. If worn every day, these shoes can worsen your posture and strain your spine over time. To combat this, avoid wearing both high-heeled and flat-soled shoes every day. Both of these extremes can be equally bad for spine health.Sleeping in certain positions or on a sagging mattress
