Do you have back pain and have no idea why? If your day is riddled with smoking breaks or if you are regularly subjected to second-hand smoke, the cause of your back pain might not be such a mystery.
Most people know that smoking is bad for your overall health. After just one puff, smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure, increases the tension in your muscles and releases carbon monoxide into your blood. If you have back pain, you are increasing your risk of further spine problems and preventing your body from healing.
Smoking can damage your spine in 4 ways:
2. Smoking impairs your blood flow and deprives your spinal tissues of nutrients and oxygen they need to stay strong and healthy.
3. Your physical activity decreases due to deoxygenated blood and damage to the lungs. When these main components of your cardiovascular system begin to weaken, very simple movements can become difficult and painful. Staying active is vital for your spine health so any activity that reduces your mobility will negatively impact your spine.
4. Smoking can keep you from healing. Studies show that smokers take a significantly longer time to heal after surgery than non-smokers, and in some cases, their bones never fully heal. Smokers also have a greater risk of developing blood clots and infections during recovery.
There is no such thing as a full spine replacement so it’s important to take care of the spine you have. Realizing this, why not make the choice today to take back your health and help keep your spine strong for years to come by breaking the smoking habit?
If you are ready to take back your health please contact us now. At Family Chiropractic & Wellness, we focus on improving health naturally through chiropractic adjustments, posture exercises, and health education. Schedule an appointment online or call 812-373-3376 to take back your health today.
