Indiana Spine Group

This spine wellness blog entry will answer a recent question by a blog reader.

What is the best food and exercise for a degenerative spine?

Unfortunately, the lumbar disc between the vertebrae that degenerate, don’t have a good blood supply, thus it is difficult to get nutrients to these vertebrae. That is why once the lumbar discs degenerate, they cannot be “regenerated,” by certain foods or supplements.
 
For overall spine health, one of the best things that you can do for your spine is to maintain a healthy weight, and do weight bearing and aerobic  exercises such as walking, biking, and swimming. As well as core strengthening exercises. Additionally, aquatic exercise is a great type of exercise for individuals with spine problems. This link provides a good resource for aquatic exercise.

And remember, proper hydration is essential to a healthy spine. So make sure your water intake is adequate.

(This answer was provided by Alta Skelton, RN, MSN, NP-C, and Adam Ebbert, PT, CEAS.)