Tips for preventing spinal injuries
As we celebrate World Spine Day, here is how you can take better care of your spine to prevent injuries.
Your spine is an incredibly important part of your body.
It holds up your head, shoulders, and the upper part of your body. The support that it offers to your body allows you to stand up straight, and a healthy spine gives you flexibility to bend and twist.
Every year, globally, between 250,000 and 500,000 people suffer a spinal cord injury (SCI), reports the World Health Organization. This refers to damage to any part of the spinal cord.
Many of the injuries are caused by road traffic crashes, falls, violence, arthritis, cancer, inflammation, work or sports-related injuries, and infections.
WHO states: 'People with a spinal cord injury are two to five times more likely to die prematurely than people without a spinal cord injury, with worse survival rates in low-and middle-income countries.'
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Monday 16 October marks World Spine Day.
There are certain things you can do to lower the risk of a spinal injury.
The following tips are from Healthline:
Because one of the major causes of spinal injuries is road traffic crashes, drive safely and wear your seatbelt.
Injuries can result from falling, therefore it is important to use a step stool with a grab bar to reach high-up objects instead of using things such as chairs to climb and reach high objects.
Before diving into water, examine it first to make sure it’s deep enough and free of rocks.
When playing, wear recommended safety gear for sports activities.
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Disclaimer: Health-related information provided in this article is not a substitute for medical advice and should not be used to diagnose or treat health problems. It is always advisable to consult with your doctor on any health-related issues.
Image courtesy of iStock/ @Chinnapong