Summer has arrived and we’ve taken our gyms to the outdoors to continue our body care and physical fitness in the presence of nature. We want to be sure our abs are tight and those legs are trim, however; the back is an area of the body we sometimes take for granted, not only in everyday tasks, but also in our feat to be fit.

According to Chiropractic Doctor, Lakesha Braxton, making certain to see your Chiropractor or Primary Care Physician about maintaining a healthy spine is the first of several important steps in proper back care.

Dr. Braxton also recommends maintaining regular activity, whether indoors or outside, and suggests stretching and strengthening exercises [such as Pilates and Yoga, which focus on the core, or torso area of your body], as well as walking, bike riding, jogging and swimming. Also, focus on your posture in your everyday living, especially if you sit at a desk for long hours, making sure to sit up straight and relax the shoulders.

Proper nutrition is an essential piece for healthy living, so it’s and obvious factor in taking care of your back. Each day include healthy carbohydrates like nuts and fruits, along with vegetables and lean meats like fish and chicken for protein. Also, get some form of calcium in your body on a daily basis to strengthen all your bones, including the spinal column, which protects the spinal cord – the nerve tissue that connects the brain to the rest of the body (Important right?).

And lastly, but certainly not least, be cautious when lifting heavy objects, being sure to lift using the strength in your lower body, not your back, to avoid unwanted strain on your spine.

Follow these tips and get your back to life!