There are few things more frustrating to a person with chronic pain than hearing someone say, “Your pain is all in your mind.” But if you’re one of the estimated 50 to 75 million Americans living with chronic pain, these words might actually be the key to relieving your suffering. Chronic pain is in the mind—but this does not mean what you think it means. The…
Who needs to stretch? You do. A regular stretching routine helps to keep your muscles flexible. With consistency, you can relieve and prevent pain from exercise and daily, functional activities. Is back pain a problem for you? Here are three easy stretches that can help. Low Back Relaxer Grab a pillow and slowly lie down on your back. Bend both knees, keeping…
Chemical stress includes eating, drinking or inhaling substances that the body finds toxic, even if we think we enjoy them. These substances may include: Alcohol Tobacco Preservatives in food Smoggy air Even an excess of sweets! Chemical stressors all affect the hormone levels in the body, which in turn affect the functioning of the nervous system. Physical stress…
Video Transcript Let’s do a standing hamstring stretch. We’ll start with our legs together, standing tall with our lower abdomen engaged by drawing our bellybutton toward our spine. We’ll inhale to lengthen our spine, and as we exhale, folding forward from the pelvis, we’ll begin to lower our torsos down. Now, you can have your hands at your waist or on the tops…
You Might Like {{displayTitle}} READ Few things in life are as frustrating as back pain (aside from maybe coffee shops with no Wi-Fi ). If you re dealing with it, you re not alone: One in four Americans experiences back pain on a regular basis. But whether it’s a dull ache or nearly debilitating sharp pain, a bad back can make your daily routine a serious struggle…
Yoga is a mind-body and exercise practice that combines breath control, meditation, and movements to stretch and strengthen muscles. What sets yoga apart from most other exercise programs is that it places as great an emphasis on mental fitness as on physical fitness. People have been doing yoga for thousands of years. Given its history, several types of yoga…
Many people think of stretching and immediately associate it with pre or post-workout, but what about adding in some muscle pain relief stretches during your work day? We are spending a considerable amount of time (approximately 8 hours) seated at our desk during the day, or looking down on our phones or tablets. Surely, we should take some time to think about…
Spinal manipulative therapy, including chiropractic care, provides modest relief from pain and improvements in function for those with acute lower back pain, a new study finds. In general, the benefit of SMT was about the same as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, the study stated. The quality of evidence for benefit was “moderate.” The meta-analysis encompassing…
Photo Sommer Kleweno Walley at home in Seattle. After she slipped on steps and began having back pain, a doctor prescribed physical therapy and an anti-inflammatory drug. Her pain was gone in a few months. Credit Ian C. Bates for The New York Times On Monday, the American College of Physicians published updated guidelines that say much the same. In making the…
Impaired movement control may result in chronic lower back pain. A new study from the University of Eastern Finland shows that the combination of manual therapy and exercise is an excellent way to combat movement control impairment in the lower back. This combination reduced the disability experienced by patients and significantly improved their functional ability…
Back pain, whether it be chronic or acute, is one of the most agonizing experiences one could endure. Ask anyone who has any significant degree of back pain, and they will attest to the restrictions it presents: limited range of movement, reduced mental focus, a sense of helplessness and even severe depression can result from a back injury. While any form of…
Here s what we re going to do: I m very fond of using a tennis ball to release your hips, but recently I ve started using a softball (or a baseball) for the upper part of your hips. I find it is very comfortable and allows me to put a great deal of my body weight on the muscles in the hips, while in a position that just about anyone can sustain comfortably, all…
*Heads up: We just launched the YBC Yoga Forum, where health conscious people (like you!) are coming together to chat about everything from chaturangas to chocolates. Come join! We d love to connect! If you consider how often we sit (ahem, slouch), it s not a huge surprise that many of us suffer from minor upper back pain. I mean, we probably spend the majority…
Spinal stenosis is a disorder that is caused by a narrowing of the spinal canal. This narrowing happens as a result of the degeneration of both the facet joints and the intervertebral discs. In this condition, bone spurs (also called osteophytes ) grow into the spinal canal. The facet joints also enlarge as they become arthritic, which contributes to a decrease…
Sleeping positions for various back conditions Before trying to find the best sleeping position for your back pain, it is a good idea to consult with your doctor to uncover the underlying cause of your symptoms. This will allow you to form a comprehensive treatment plan, and will also help in the process of finding the best sleeping position. Once you have confirmed…
You Might Like {{displayTitle}} READ Joint pain affects one in five Americans and is one of the leading causes of disability in the U.S. Along with leg, neck, and back pain, knee pain tops the list of problem areas, according to James Rippe, M.D., a cardiologist and joint pain specialist. And we re not getting better: A 2013 study reported a 162 percent increase…
Ask anyone what their biggest ailment is at the end of the day and you’ll more than likely hear them say “my back.” In fact, according to the American Chiropractic Association, back pain is the second most common reason for doctor visits. Half of all working Americans have back pain symptoms every year, and most of the causes aren’t from serious conditions (a.k.a…
After making it to the big leagues – aka cubicle life – I noticed a major shift in my overall energy and health. The key driver behind this shift was – drumroll please – sitting. We all sit. We sit in our cars. We sit on our couches. We sit at work. We sit while eating. We sit. We sit. And then we sit some more. But here’s the scary part. Sitting is leading to…
Eighty percent (80%) of people will experience lower back pain at some stage of their life. It is one of the most common reasons for people missing work and seeing a doctor or physiotherapist. But lower back pain is something you can avoid with some inside knowledge, back care strategies and some back exercises. However, if you choose to neglect your back care…
To relieve your worst back pain, lie on your back with your knees bent and lower legs propped up on a chair or stool. Place ice under your lower back and/or take an anti-inflammatory medication if it is safe for you to do so. Remain in this position and just try to relax and let the irritated nerves in your back calm down. If you have an extension problem (a…
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – New research finds yoga can be the best prescription for millions of Americans suffering from chronic lower back pain. Judith Zaborowski attends yoga class at Samamkaya Yoga in New York City. “I apparently have a spine that is covered with arthritis, ” said Zaborowski. The 74-year-old says the practice helps ease her back pain. “I’m much more…
Just like reinforced steel can bear more weight than sheet aluminum, a strong, well-conditioned back can withstand more stress, and protect the spine better, than a back that has not been conditioned through exercise. Conditioning through flexibility and strengthening back exercises not only helps the back avoid injury, or minimize the severity of injury if the…
Simple ideas for back pain relief. An estimated 50 percent to 80 percent of American adults will experience back pain. Whether because of a traumatic accident, a simple injury or arthritis, there are ways to find relief. About half the time, back pain gets better within two weeks,says David Borenstein, MD, clinical professor of medicine at George Washington…
The back is a complex structure of bone and muscle, supported by cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, and fed by a network of blood vessels and nerves. The back—especially the lumbar, or lower back—bears much of the body’s weight during walking, running, lifting, and other activities. It makes sense, then, that injuries to the lower back—such as strains and sprains—are…
You can also end up with a sore back as the result of a long or difficult labor. During labor you may have used muscles you don t normally use, and you ll feel the effects for some time. (If you had an epidural, you may notice some tenderness at the site for a few days after giving birth, but it shouldn t cause back pain.) Also, many new moms inadvertently make…
Pregnancy can be harsh on ligaments and joints because of the added weight your body supports. Your back may be one of the major areas where you’ll notice the ache. Regular stretching and exercise help offset these effects by improving flexibility, strength, muscle tone, and reducing the incidence of lower back pain. Try some of the following exercises and gentle…
