If you are one of the millions that suffer low back pain then there are a few basic ways in which you can help yourself, but my first piece of advice has to be to get professional osteopathic help, in my experience the sooner you have treatment after an injury the better, it makes a vast difference to how quickly the recovery is.
On the other hand if you have long term, chronic back pain then try getting help for that too, don't just accept you have to live with it, take pain killers forever or that it is just your age.
Osteopathic treatment can help a wide array of different back problems no matter how long you have had them.
But apart from treatment I want to cover a few of the most common bits of advice I give my patients during and after treatment.
Firstly, posture is always involved, if gravity is there, then you will have some sort of strain as you sit or stand.
So my biggest tip is to improve your posture, most patients tend to be round shouldered and this puts strain on the neck and shoulders and increases muscle tension in the chest which further pulls the neck forward.
Most patients know this, but what is less known is that rounded shoulders flatten the curve in the LOW back and this predisposes to disc and sciatica type injuries.
So you must observe the posture of your whole spine, not just the parts that hurt.
Next, movement is vital, I always recommend gentle exercise classes like Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates to maintain flexibility and improve abdominal wall function.
These classes should also be used if you do "harder" exercise like sports or weights at the gym, they will provide a balance between strength and flexibility.
They are also invaluable if you have a sedentary job, like sitting at at PC all day.
Drinking water also helps the spine.
Our spinal discs that provide a spring between our vertebrae take water in over night whilst we sleep.
If water is not available then they in effect dry out and don't provide the spring and protection we need causing the joints to get closer together which can lead to wear and tear.
The foods you eat will also play a significant role in the health of your back.
Most patients find this aspect one they have not paid much attention to.
Firstly, food gives your body the building blocks with which it will repair itself, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Secondly, certain foods maybe aggravating your back pain as they are known to increase inflammation, refined sugar being a big culprit.
It is also worth trying to reduce the nightshade family of foods just in case they are a problem, in particular tomatoes.
For a holistic, self-help approach to a healthy spine you need to observe your posture, both standing and seated, your movement / exercise patterns, and what you eat and drink.
Good luck! If you sign up to out newsletter you will receive a free 15 page report written by Christian Bates titled "Tips for a healthy spine"
On the other hand if you have long term, chronic back pain then try getting help for that too, don't just accept you have to live with it, take pain killers forever or that it is just your age.
Osteopathic treatment can help a wide array of different back problems no matter how long you have had them.
But apart from treatment I want to cover a few of the most common bits of advice I give my patients during and after treatment.
Firstly, posture is always involved, if gravity is there, then you will have some sort of strain as you sit or stand.
So my biggest tip is to improve your posture, most patients tend to be round shouldered and this puts strain on the neck and shoulders and increases muscle tension in the chest which further pulls the neck forward.
Most patients know this, but what is less known is that rounded shoulders flatten the curve in the LOW back and this predisposes to disc and sciatica type injuries.
So you must observe the posture of your whole spine, not just the parts that hurt.
Next, movement is vital, I always recommend gentle exercise classes like Tai Chi, yoga and Pilates to maintain flexibility and improve abdominal wall function.
These classes should also be used if you do "harder" exercise like sports or weights at the gym, they will provide a balance between strength and flexibility.
They are also invaluable if you have a sedentary job, like sitting at at PC all day.
Drinking water also helps the spine.
Our spinal discs that provide a spring between our vertebrae take water in over night whilst we sleep.
If water is not available then they in effect dry out and don't provide the spring and protection we need causing the joints to get closer together which can lead to wear and tear.
The foods you eat will also play a significant role in the health of your back.
Most patients find this aspect one they have not paid much attention to.
Firstly, food gives your body the building blocks with which it will repair itself, amino acids, vitamins and minerals.
Secondly, certain foods maybe aggravating your back pain as they are known to increase inflammation, refined sugar being a big culprit.
It is also worth trying to reduce the nightshade family of foods just in case they are a problem, in particular tomatoes.
For a holistic, self-help approach to a healthy spine you need to observe your posture, both standing and seated, your movement / exercise patterns, and what you eat and drink.
Good luck! If you sign up to out newsletter you will receive a free 15 page report written by Christian Bates titled "Tips for a healthy spine"
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