While a chiropractic physician may be able to help you feel less pain and be more active in your life, a chiropractor is not a magician. You need to be proactive with your spine health too; you shouldn't just leave it all up to the doctors. Unfortunately, strong prescription remedies may actually be counterproductive to the long-term prognosis of people suffering with lower back pain, so it's important to minimize your dependence on medicine and maximize your chiropractic productivity.

Reduce the amount of pain and perhaps the amount of permanent damage you experience by complementing your chiropractic treatments.

1. Drink More Water

The discs within your spine actually shrink as you get older, leaving you more vulnerable to injury. This shrinkage is why you see older folks getting shorter as the years go by! The vital elasticity of your soft tissue is directly dependent on your fluid intake too, and that goes a long way in supporting your spine. Water is the best possible drink for you anyway, for a number of other reasons, so chug it down for your spine also.

2. Pay Attention to Your Posture

Many of the modern devices you depend on for fun, work, and socializing are likely contributing to your slouchy behavior, and that's very bad news for your spine. No matter what you're doing, whether it's eating at the dinner table or texting people from your sofa, sit straight and be aware of how your posture can harm your body.

3. Fight Back Against Stress

Stress creates tension throughout your entire body, causing a sort of recoiling of muscles that can leave you more vulnerable to aches and pains as well as contribute to joint stiffness and spine dysfunction. Practice your stress-management techniques, such as a minute of meditation during your hectic workday or 30 minutes of mindful yoga at the end of it. For your mental health and overall well-being, learning to disperse stress before it gets a grip on you is vital, but it's particularly complementary to your chiropractic treatments..

4.  Get Regular Massages

Second in popularity only to chiropractic treatment itself, massage is a very effective way to tame tense muscles, beat stress, and keep your body feeling vital and capable without the use of pharmaceuticals. So long as your chiropractor approves massage for your particular ailments, enjoy a massage every few weeks or so without the pangs of guilt that falsely lead you to believe you're being too lavish on yourself!

5. Prepare for Sports You Participate In

Sometimes, sports-related injuries are unavoidable, but if you're not warming up with stretches and gearing up with the proper protection, you could be setting yourself up for what otherwise could have been avoidable mishaps. Train adequately, prep your body, and don't leave yourself vulnerable on the field or court.

6. Try Sensible Supplements

Doctor-recommended supplements for spine or joint pain may be helpful to you, such as those that reduce inflammation. You can also work harder at your diet to intake the nutrients you need, such as by consuming more flaxseed, pineapple, and salmon; spice up your meals with turmeric, as it, too, tackles the inflammation that may be contributing to your chronic pain. Although some supplements may be pure advertising hype, many have potential value, but check with your physician to get the most specific, relevant help for you.

7. Confess to Your Chiropractor

If you slouch, skip the physical therapy, or otherwise mistreat your body, be truthful with your chiropractic physician. They may be able to offer you helpful tips on how you can affect positive change without a lot of effort. They'll also be better informed on how they approach your treatment plan; be particularly detailed in telling them of any changes you notice in your body, such as weird aches or odd pains. Such information could offer clues into other things going on inside you, like vitamin deficiencies or even degenerative disease.

Despite the helpful benefits of chiropractic treatments, there's still a lot you can do on your own and for yourself to reduce or prevent painful issues in your body. Be more aware, be very proactive, and never miss an appointment with your chiropractor!