Keeping fit 'prevents spinal injury'RSS Feed

Keeping fit is the best way to reduce the possibility of injury to the spine or muscles in the back, according to a medical expert.

Speaking to the Baltimore Sun, Dr Marlis Gonzalez-Fernandez, assistant professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, said that strong back muscles and a stable spine are developed through regular aerobic and strengthening exercises.

Dr Gonzalez-Fernandez, who is also the medical director of the outpatient physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics at the Johns Hopkins Hospital, also emphasised the importance of taking time to assess the best method of lifting when faced with objects that require moving.

She said that objects might be much heavier than they look so assistance should be requested to avoid possible back injury.

People should also maintain proper posture when standing, sitting or lifting and remember to bend their knees when bending to lift things, Dr Gonzalez-Fernandez told the newspaper.

For those who do suffer from serious spinal injuries, researchers including Dr Patrice Smith from Jamaica have found that damaged repair signals between the brain and spinal cord can be restored by removing the molecule SOCS3, the Gleaner reported.

Serious Law, leading spinal cord injury solicitors.

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