For a Healthy Spine – Recline!

recline-relax-copyThere’s no denying it: our bodies do change over time. We’re no longer as spritely and energetic as we were as teenagers, that’s for sure. As we get older, we now need a longer time to rest and recover from our daily activities – which is a great excuse for a nap, if you ask us!

We also need to take greater care of our bodies. You may have noticed extra aches and pains across the years, taking a longer time to recover from injuries, and even becoming injured more easily.

The spine’s role in our overall health
One of the most important parts of our body is our spine. We talked to expert Chiropractor, Dr. Murray Findlay, to get the best advice on spinal care and health. He states that “our spine forms the structural core of our body. It also serves to protect our spinal cord, a major component of the nervous system. How you care for and look after your spine will directly influence your health and general well-being”.

“Caring for and maintaining a healthy spine influences our ability to move and perform everyday activities. If you injure an arm or a leg, it leads to some restriction of your normal everyday activities. However, if you injure your back or neck this tends to affect a greater range of normal activities, placing even more limitation on your life”.

So, how do we take good care of our spinal health? Keeping active and exercising is essential to ensuring our spines remain in good condition. “Movement is essential to life and health” says Dr. Findlay. We also need to support our spines correctly when we’re resting – during that nap we mentioned earlier!

Achieving correct spinal position at rest
When resting, if our spines are in an incorrect position, it can lead to ongoing aches and pains. These can be exacerbated if you have an underlying injury, too. Ensuring you have a good bed or mattress topper and pillow is essential for your night’s sleep.

But what about other times when we’re resting? Settled in front of the TV at night? Reading a book? Having a nap? Taking a break from household chores?

During these times it is in your best interests to have a quality, supportive recliner. A recliner that has been designed with chiropractors to ensure spinal health means that you are getting the support you need.

Compared to a regular couch, recliners, like La-Z-Boy recliners, can help to ease muscles and joints, relieve tension in the back, and not make existing injuries worse. This makes them a clever investment as we need more time to rest as we get older. The support that a recliner offers helps keep your body in the best condition.

“A good recliner needs to support your body, especially in the lower back area and the neck. Adjustable lumbar supports and adjustable head rest are an absolute must as these will allow you to personalise your chair for ultimate comfort and support” says Dr. Findlay.

For the best spinal health remember – stay active and exercise, get a good quality, supportive bed and pillow, and consider a recliner for those other times when you’re having a rest.

Click here to view the range of La-Z-Boy Recliner Chairs and see how you can help make yourself more comfortable.

With thanks to Dr Murray Findlay, BA, BSc, Mchiro

Read more about making yourself and your home more comfortable plus go in the draw to win $1000 off your favourite La-Z-Boy piece. Click on the links below:

Dealing with aches and pains: Making the home more ergonomically sound
A holiday, a new car or more comfort every day? Which would you choose
3 simple tips to downsize with ease…
Win $1000 off your favourite La-Z-Boy