October isn’t just another month on the calendar. It’s a time when spine health takes center stage across the nation. Between National Spine Health Awareness Month, Physical Therapy Month, and World Spine Day (Oct 16), it’s the perfect opportunity to pause and focus on the health of your back.
At Vertrae® in Dayton, we’re making October more than an awareness campaign. We’re turning it into a journey for patients, one that begins with prevention and education, moves through innovation and advanced diagnostics, spotlights innovative treatments like ReActiv8® and the Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Procedure, and wraps up with practical tools you can use all year long.
This blog kicks off that journey. We’ll start with simple, practical tips from our physical therapy team, everyday changes you can make right now to protect your spine. In the weeks ahead, we’ll dive deeper into the hidden causes of chronic back pain, the breakthroughs in treatment, and the real patient stories of relief and recovery.
1. Stand and Sit Tall: Your Posture Matters
Poor posture is one of the most common causes of back pain. Whether you’re at a desk, driving, or scrolling on your phone, slouching puts extra pressure on your spine.
Quick fixes:
- Align your ears, shoulders, and hips when sitting or standing
- Take a short movement break every 30–60 minutes
- Use a lumbar roll or supportive cushion during long sits
2. Strengthen Your Core, Not Just Your Abs
You’ve probably heard that a strong core supports your back. That’s true, but it’s not just about crunches.
Your spine depends on deep stabilizing muscles, like the multifidus, for balance and support. And many people over 40 lose connection to those muscles without realizing it.
Kris, our Physical Therapist and former athlete, teaches targeted movements like bird-dogs and isometric holds to reactivate those forgotten stabilizers.
“Education is just as powerful as exercise,” Kris says. “When patients understand their body, they become part of the solution.”
3. Move Every Day, Even If It’s Just a Walk
You don’t need intense workouts to stay strong, just consistent, spine-safe movement.
Try this:
- Walk for 10 minutes a day
- Stretch gently in the morning
- Use a standing desk or alternate sitting/standing during your workday
Movement keeps your joints mobile, your posture aligned, and your spine supported, all without overdoing it.
4. Stick With Therapy Even When Progress Feels Slow
Healing isn’t linear, and that can be discouraging. But sticking with your plan, especially when progress feels slow, is what leads to lasting results.
Presley, our Physical Therapy Assistant, helps patients push through the hard days.
“I want patients to feel hopeful,” she says. “Even small steps forward can lead to life-changing relief.”
Her encouragement, both physical and emotional, helps turn therapy into something patients can rely on, not dread.
5. Know When It’s Time to Seek Help
If back pain lingers for more than a few weeks…
If your spine feels unstable or like it’s ‘giving out’…
If you notice weakness, numbness, or tingling…
Those could be signs of deeper spinal issues, such as multifidus dysfunction, nerve compression, or disc degeneration.
At Vertrae®, we follow a conservative-first, innovation-forward model, starting with physical therapy, posture correction, and regenerative care before considering advanced treatments like:
- ReActiv8® restorative neurostimulation
- Basivertebral Nerve Ablation Procedure
- Spinal Cord Stimulation
- Barricaid
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections
- Minimally invasive procedures
- Robotic-assisted spine surgery
A Team That Keeps You Moving and Supported
Behind every recovery story is a team that makes it possible. At Vertrae®, our physical therapy department is led by three deeply dedicated professionals:
- Kris, DPT, who brings expert clinical insight and personal experience as a former athlete
- Presley, PT assistant, who motivates with energy, encouragement, and empathy
- Shawn, our Physical Therapy Coordinator and PT Aide, brings a calm presence, precise scheduling, and a patient-first mindset that keeps everything running smoothly
“I hope every patient walks in and feels comfortable and confident in the care they’re being provided,” Shawn says. “Progress happens step by step, and it’s our job to help them see each one.”
Whether they’re guiding you through your first exercise or making sure tomorrow’s schedule is ready, this team is here to help you feel stronger, physically and emotionally.
Let This Month Be the Start of Something Better
This October, you’ll see a theme across all our blogs: awareness, innovation, and solutions.
- Awareness: Why spine health matters now more than ever.
- Innovation: How new diagnostics and technologies are changing the way we treat back pain.
- Solutions: The latest procedures, from ReActiv8® to Basivertebral Nerve Ablation, and how they’re helping real patients in Dayton finally find relief.
- Wrap-up: Closing the month with a reminder that spine health isn’t seasonal — it’s for every day, and every stage of life.
Stay tuned for the rest of our October series:
- Why Spine Health Awareness Month Matters (and World Spine Day, Oct 16)
- Innovation in Spine Care: Hidden Causes and Advanced Solutions
- The Truth About Chronic Back Pain — and What We Can Do About It
- New Treatment Spotlights: ReActiv8® and Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
- A Patient’s Guide to Basivertebral Nerve Ablation
- Closing the Month: Spine Health for Every Season
Your spine is the foundation of everything you do, from working and walking, to lifting grandkids or playing golf. Let this month be the start of a new commitment to your health and follow along with us as we explore the future of spine care together.
Ready to take the first step? Call 1-844-255-2225 or [Request an Appointment Online]
