Small daily habits determine the health of your spine. Have you ever seen taken the subway or bus and noticed a lot of people sitting with their heads bent forward, engrossed in their smartphone screens?

It’s small things like this that can lead to chronic back pain, and they are happening more frequently regardless of age.

Unforeseen enemies threatening your spine

We often don’t realize how fatal our mindless actions can be towards our spinal health. From bad posture to daily habits, let’s learn about the unexpected enemies that are slowly ruining your spine.

If you check your posture right now and start changing these small habits, you can continue to live a healthy and vibrant life.

Is your spine doing well today?

Have you ever suddenly felt “text neck,” with your neck jutting forward, while looking in the mirror? Or do you currently have a stiff neck and back?

Spinal health doesn’t start with grand management; it begins with small, daily habits.

Spinal disorders have become a chronic ailment for modern people, such as office workers who sit all day and students who use smartphones for long hours.

Here are a few common mistakes that can lead to bad spinal health:

Sitting with Crossed Legs: This can twist the pelvis and apply uneven pressure on your spine, potentially leading to scoliosis or a herniated disc.

Slouching: Slouching not only causes herniated discs but also leads to neck pain and a straight neck posture.

Excessive Smartphone Use: Bending your head forward puts a heavy load on your cervical vertebrae. The weight of your head (around 6kg) can feel like a whopping 27kg of pressure on your neck when bent at a 60-degree angle, potentially causing text neck syndrome and a cervical disc herniation.

Lack of Exercise: When the muscles that support your spine weaken, your spine becomes unstable and can cause pain.

Back pain isn’t just due to age. Does back pain differ by age group?

It’s easy to think, “Doesn’t everyone get sick as they get older?” But a significant number of patients with herniated discs can improve without surgical treatment.

The problem is when people waste time on unscientific treatments or unnecessary procedures, missing the right time for proper treatment in urgent situations like leg weakness or bladder/bowel dysfunction.

If you suspect symptoms, the correct first step is to see a specialist who can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Together, you can determine whether surgical treatment is necessary or if a gradual, non-surgical approach is more appropriate.

A spine specialist on spinal health

If you are experiencing spinal pain, it’s recommended you see a specialist.

“You can maintain a healthy spine with just a few small habits,” says Jeon Sang-ho, head of the Spine Center at Good Gang-an Hospital.

He suggests the following methods:

Get enough sleep for spinal rest: Use a mattress and pillow to get comfortable sleep.

Strengthen your core muscles: Strengthen your abdominal and back muscles to support your spine.

Choose the right shoes: Wear comfortable shoes that help align your spine.

Relieve stress and get massages: Promote blood circulation to help your spine recover.

Maintain good posture and limit sitting time: Avoid sitting for long periods and stand up to stretch every 20-30 minutes.

If you are looking for help, Eunseong Medical Foundation’s Good Hospitals have established themselves as trusted medical institutions for residents in the Busan and Gyeongnam regions.

This consistent effort has led to the growth of 12 “Good Hospitals” under the foundation today.

These hospitals are more than just healthcare providers; they are places that patients trust and love, where staff can work with pride, and which serve the community.

Additionally, Good Gang-An Hospital was recognized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a “2024 Medical Institution Popular with Foreigners” and by the city of Busan as the “Most Visited Medical Institution by Foreign Patients in 2024.”

For more information, you can check out Good Gang-an Hospital or their YouTube channel.