6 Daily Habits to Reduce Scoliosis Pain
Scoliosis, or an abnormal curvature of the spine, can be quite painful. If you regularly struggle to manage scoliosis pain, adopt these six daily habits to reduce your discomfort.
Stretch Every Morning
You can improve spinal health and restore some of the imbalances of scoliosis with daily stretching. One simple option is to lean your body in one direction, holding your hands together above your head, and hold for several seconds. Then, repeat on the opposite side. Lacing your fingers together behind your back and squeezing your shouder blades together also helps to release pain and tension in the spine.
Keep Your Joints Warm
It’s common for scoliosis pain to worsen in cold weather as tight muscles stiffen even more. To combat this, set the thermostat to a warm, comfortable temperature at home and dress in warm clothing when you leave the house. If you’re feeling especially achy, soak in a hot bath or apply a heat pack to the sore areas along your spine.
Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Spinal inflammation is common in people with scoliosis. Anti-inflammatory foods may reduce this problem and help control your pain. Here’s how to alter your diet for improved spinal health:
- Eat more fruits and vegetables.
- Eat healthy fats in moderation, including avocados, olive oil, and coconut oil.
- Snack on almonds and other nuts between meals.
- Eat fish rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as salmon, sardines, herring, and mackerel a few times a week.
- Flavor your food with turmeric, cinnamon, and fenugreek.
- Drink green tea.
- Avoid added sugars, refined carbs, processed meat, vegetable oil, trans fat, and alcohol.
Supplement with Vitamins
Your doctor may recommend taking vitamin D3 to improve bone density, magnesium to boost spinal health, and fish oil supplements for their anti-inflammatory properties. Even if you eat a healthy diet, it doesn’t hurt to take these supplements on your doctor’s recommendation to help reduce scoliosis pain.
Sleep on a Firm Mattress
End your day on a high note by climbing into a comfortable bed. Scoliosis back pain responds best to firm or medium-firm mattresses. If you typically wake up with morning pain and stiffness in your spine, it could be time for a trip to the mattress store.
Visit a Chiropractor to Begin Scoliosis Treatment
Receiving regular chiropractic adjustments can improve the form, function, and mobility of your spine. Most importantly, adequate spinal care can inhibit further degradation of your spine. Expect decreased pain and better posture when you incorporate chiropractic care into your scoliosis treatment plan.
Effective Integrative Healthcare diagnoses and treats scoliosis in children and adults. If you experience chronic back pain and notice an abnormal spinal curvature, don’t ignore the problem. Our team can treat your spinal curve problem and help prevent the debilitating long-term effects of scoliosis. Give us a call today to schedule a free scoliosis consultation at our Crofton, Millersville, or Lanham, MD clinic.