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PREVENTATIVE
MEDICINE

tightness, aches, pains or stiffness from a past injury is to enroll the help Reduce inflammation through better lifestyle choices
of a qualified physical therapist. Physical therapy professionals have the Reducing inflammation is another great way to help with the pre-
ability to work with your body’s conditions in a non-invasive manner vention of neck, back, spine and joint pain. Alcohol and tobacco use
to promote blood flow, muscle movement, flexibility and regain contribute to inflammatory responses within our bodies. Eliminating
strength over time. those habits will not only reduce inflammation throughout the body,
but it may also help you avoid other diseases later in life such as heart
Stretching disease, cancer and arthritis.
Stretching is a great activity to do at the beginning of the day. It cer-
tainly sets the tone for the rest of your day when you have a nice, relax- Reduce stress
ing stretching or yoga session. Stretching helps the body prepare for Reducing stress is easier said than done, yet it’s still important to rec-
the day’s activities after a restful night of sleep. Stretching is also some- ognize what really matters in life, and that is your health. If you’re con-
thing your physical therapist will likely guide you on to best assist with stantly stressed out about something in your day-to-day life, you’re
the at-home care regimen portion of your physical therapy routine. more than likely going to experience side effects of said stress over time.
It is best to seek professional help if the stress becomes too much for
Staying hydrated you, and this may in turn allow you to relax and recognize the areas of
Staying adequately hydrated is crucial to maintaining a healthy your life that you can manage. Mental health is just as important as
lifestyle. Chronic dehydration is one of the leading causes of many physical health. We tend to carry the weight of our stress throughout
conditions of the joints, neck, back and spine developing over time. our back, neck, spine and joints. This can cause everything from poor
Water helps our bodies maintain adequate hydration and in turn al- posture to develop, tension throughout the lower and middle back to
lows our bodies to have lubricated joints and functional processes develop, or even our back to “give out” when we have high levels of cor-
throughout our entire bodily system. Below is a quick list of how water tisol and adrenaline running through our system. Learning to manage
helps our bodies: stress can make such a positive difference in all areas of our lives.
• Aids digestion and rids the body of waste,
• Helps lubricate your joints, Incorporate healthy lifestyle adjustments daily
• Produces saliva which helps you eat, While this list is just the beginning of managing the prevention of
• Balances your entire body’s chemical structure, joint and back pain, it’s important to discuss your various treatment
• Helps your brain create the right hormones and properly send neu- options with your doctor. They can determine the next best step to take
rotransmitters, when it comes to successfully treating your condition(s). Making small
• Delivers oxygen throughout your body, steps in the right direction towards health and wellness is much easier
• Cushions your bones, than trying to accomplish everything all at once. Start incorporating
• Helps regulate body temperature. healthy lifestyle choices day-by-day, week-by-week, month-by-month
and year-by-year. You will most likely notice a compounding effect of
Healthy diet the positive results over time. Joint and back pain is common, yet it
A healthy diet is vital to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. A diet doesn’t have to be when you start taking the appropriate action to best
rich in healthy vegetables, fruits, meats, nuts and grains will help you address your condition. I hope you have enjoyed reading this article
live a healthier, happier life. Eating organic, real foods is the best way and wish you the best in your journey towards healing.
to go when it comes to helping your body heal and remain on the
right course to wellness once again. Foods rich in vitamins, nutrients Gerardo Zavala II, MD, FAANS is a board-certified neu-
and minerals may help your body form the right tools it needs to rosurgeon serving San Antonio and surrounding cities since
properly recover and internally resolve problems. Eating an anti-in- 2009. Dr. Zavala brings extensive training in minimally in-
flammatory diet is the right choice and this can be accomplished vasive spinal surgery, scoliosis correction, degenerative spinal stenosis
with the help of a certified nutritionist who specializes in anti-in- and herniated disc disease. He is a member of the Bexar County Medical
flammatory diet regimens. Society.

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