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In this episode of Healing Naturally, Dr. Patricia Wolff of Natural Ways Chiropractic in Roseville, Minnesota, dives into one of her most passionate topics: preventing back pain through simple daily habits. Dr. Wolff believes that lasting health is built moment by moment through small, intentional choices — and your back is no exception.
Listeners will discover practical, easy-to-implement strategies that can make a real difference in spinal health and overall well-being. Whether you’re currently struggling with back pain or want to get ahead of it, this episode offers actionable guidance grounded in chiropractic expertise.
Tune in and take the first step toward a healthier, pain-free back — one habit at a time.
Hello, and welcome back. I’m Doctor Trish Wolff, your host of Healing Naturally, and I practice at Natural Ways Chiropractic right here in Roseville, Minnesota. I am so excited, so energized, and genuinely optimistic that we can all improve our health — moment by moment — with small choices that support our well-being every single day. That’s what this show is all about, and today’s topic is one I am passionate about. We’re talking about simple daily habits to prevent back pain.
Now, here’s the thing. Back pain is one of the most common reasons people come through my door. And so often, I hear the same thing — “I didn’t do anything, it just started hurting.” And I believe them. Because most back pain doesn’t come from one big dramatic moment. It builds up slowly, over time, from the little things we do — or don’t do — every single day.
The good news? That works both ways. Just like small habits can lead to pain, small habits can prevent it. So let’s talk about where to start.
The first thing I want you to think about is how much time you spend sitting. Most of us sit far more than our bodies were designed to handle. And when we sit — especially for long stretches — the muscles in our hips get tight, the muscles in our core stop working the way they should, and the spine ends up carrying a load it’s not meant to carry alone. Here’s what I want you to do. Set a reminder on your phone — every forty-five minutes to an hour, just stand up. Walk to the kitchen. Do a gentle stretch. It doesn’t have to be anything complicated. Just break that sitting cycle. Your spine will thank you.
The second habit I want to talk about is how you sleep. I know, I know — we don’t always think of sleep as something that affects our back. But it absolutely does. The position you sleep in matters. If you’re a side sleeper, try putting a pillow between your knees. It keeps your hips stacked and takes pressure off your lower back. If you sleep on your back, a pillow under your knees can do the same thing. And if you’re sleeping on your stomach — I say this with love — that position puts a real strain on the neck and lower spine. If you can work on moving away from it, your body will feel the difference.
Now here’s something people often overlook — and it’s free, and it’s simple. Drink more water. Your spinal discs — those cushions between each vertebra — are made mostly of water. When you’re dehydrated, those discs lose some of their ability to absorb shock and support movement. Staying well hydrated throughout the day is one of the easiest things you can do for your spine. Aim for half your body weight in ounces of water each day as a general starting point. So if you weigh one hundred and sixty pounds, you’re shooting for around eighty ounces. That’s a practical target to work toward.
And finally — move your body. I’m not saying you need to run a marathon. But gentle, consistent movement — walking, stretching, even light strengthening — keeps the muscles around your spine active and supportive. A strong core isn’t just about your abs. It’s your whole trunk — front, back, and sides — working together to stabilize your spine all day long.
Now, if you’re already dealing with back pain — or if you’ve been ignoring that nagging ache and hoping it goes away — I want to gently encourage you to come in and get evaluated. So many people wait too long. And the sooner we understand what’s going on, the sooner we can help your body heal and get back to feeling like yourself.
At Natural Ways Chiropractic in Roseville, we take the time to actually listen, to look at the whole picture, and to create a plan that makes sense for your life and your body.
Thank you so much for spending a few minutes with me today. This is Healing Naturally, and I’m Doctor Trish Wolff. If anything we talked about today resonates with you, reach out to us — we’d love to meet you. Take care of yourselves, make those small good choices today, and I’ll talk with you again soon.
