Bad Habits to Break

Sleeping on your stomach.You know that this is so important, that it is painted on our wall! Stomach sleeping is the cause of many spinal ailments. Most stomach sleepers turn their head to the same side every night which creates increased and repetitive strain on the neck. Ask Dr. Klein about the healthiest ways to sleep.

Carrying heavy purses or backpacks.Purses and backpacks should never exceed 10% of your body weight. If you carry a purse, be sure to switch the shoulder you carry it on to prevent repetitive and uneven strain on your spine. 

Looking down at your phone:Tech neck is increasingly more common due to the popularity of phones and tablets. Be sure to take a break from your devices regularly. Set a reminder on your device. The best position to view your device is as close to eye level as possible. If you experience neck pain while using a device, it’s time to take a break. Try this stretch: Pull your chin to your chest until you feel a comfortable stretch along your whole neck. Hold for 5 seconds, repeat.

Wearing bad shoes.Wearing shoes that are uncomfortable or the wrong size can put strain and stress on parts of the body that are not designed to carry the extra weight. Flip flops and heels are also two big culprits that create a lot of posture and spinal issues. Flip flops do not absorb the shock of walking and heels misalign the spine and create spinal and muscular problems, even when worn correctly.