Halloween: Make No Bones About It

Dr. Leipzig is a board-certified, Salem, Virginia spine surgeon with over two decades of experience. He specializes in procedures including robotic spine surgery, microsurgical lumbar surgery, disc arthroplasty, minimally invasive spine surgery, and more, serving the greater Roanoke, VA area. To learn more or schedule an appointment, please contact our office.

It’s almost Halloween and we’re letting the skeletons out of the closet. Taking care of your skeletal system is an important part of maintaining your overall health. Everyone loses bone tissue as they age, especially women who are prone to bone loss after menopause. After you turn 30, your bones also stop producing skeletal tissue. The tissue that you have at that point can either be maintained or lost. We are committed to keeping you and your skeletal system in top working condition.

Here are some ways to take care of your skeletal system:

1. Engage in regular exercise30 mins of physical activity, five days a week, will greatly benefit your overall health. Consider walking, jogging, climbing stairs, cycling, or lifting weights to get started. Bones benefit from occasional stress (like working out) because they lose calcium without stress. Bones will grow stronger the more they are used.
2. Eat a diet rich in manganese, zinc, and copperAlways strive to maintain a healthy diet that balances lean protein, whole grains and fruits and vegetables. Foods that are high in manganese include nuts, shellfish, and dark chocolate. Beef, shellfish, and peanuts are high in zinc. Copper is prevalent in foods like calamari, lobster, and oysters. Eating these foods in rotation will help strengthen your bones and keep you fueled for your exercise routine.
3. Get 8 hours of sleep at nightAdding physical activity to your daily schedule will result in broken tissue. Sufficient sleep is important to bone health because the body repairs broken tissue during sleep.
4. Avoid smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcoholNicotine and alcohol deplete bone’s calcium content and will make your bones weak.

Dr. Leipzig and the staff at Virginia Spine Care hope this information helps you stay informed about your skeletal system health. If you or your child requires the attention of a spine specialist, please call Dr. Leipzig at 540-725-9771 or ask your physician for a referral to Virginia Spine Care.

P.S. Why did the skeleton dance alone at the party? Because he had no body to dance with!