Can Your Back Heal Its' Pain?

We have really, really strong backs. Really, we do!

But, sometimes when something happens, like a spasm or a "catch", we start to think that our back is frail, or fragile. We think we have to "baby" our back.

When we start to baby our back, or move tentatively, we are setting ourselves up for injury. We start to move stiffly, instead of smoothly. We are more likely to get hurt when we move stiffly instead of gracefully.

The bones of the spine are called vertebrae. They are built in a way that allows them to bend, twist and move in a variety of ways. The vertebrae in the neck and upper part of the back are smaller, but the lower back bones are larger and sturdier.

Pads of tough tissue, called disks, cushion the bones and separate them from each other. The disks give us more ability to move.

Long, strong muscles run the length of our spines. They secure each bone to the rest of the spine bones so that the spine acts as one long unit. Muscles allow us to move. Muscles move bones.

Sometimes we panic when our back hurts. Sometimes we become afraid it will always hurt. We may make an appointment with a doctor or surgeon, hoping they will "fix" our back.

Now, I will admit, occasionally someone does have a back problem which requires surgery. For instance, a chip may have broken off a bone, maybe through an accident. If the bone chip presses on a nerve, it may require surgery to remove it from the nerve. That should correct the pain.

And, thank goodness that doctors and surgeons are available for the times when we truly need them.

But, can your back pain heal naturally? You bet!

Think about it. If you cut your finger, does it heal by itself? If you scrape your knee, does it heal? If you break a bone, will it heal? (If it's a bad break, it will require repair, but the bone will heal, with or without repair. The repair will help the bone heal in the correct position.)

Our skin heals itself. Our bones heal themselves. We get germs, and get sick, and we get better again.

So, please don't panic.

Ice helps muscle spasms. The rule of thumb is ice for the first 48 hours, and then you can switch to heat, or alternate heat with ice. Ice for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off. Do this several times in rotation.

Take an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. If there is inflammation, or swelling, in the muscles, an anti-inflammatory is supposed to help reduce the swelling. Reducing the swelling may take pressure off a nerve, if you are having nervy pain.

Keep gentle movement going. Move with as much fluidity as you can. Try to be graceful, not lurching. Gentle movement keeps the muscles warm and keep fluids moving through our tissues.

If you have extreme pain, or lose control of your bowels or bladder, see your doctor immediately.

But, even with extreme pain, if you are patient, your body can usually heal by itself.

I had a client who had such pain that he could only kneel on the floor with his upper body supported on the bed for two days! He crawled to the bathroom and crawled back to his bed. Kneeling helped him feel a little better because with his belly supported on the bed, it took some pressure off whatever nerve was getting aggravated.

It took several weeks for him to feel well again, but it did happen. He resumed walking, but it was from picnic table to picnic table at the park. Eventually, he could walk normally again.

Lots of manual muscle therapy, or therapeutic massage, helped his tight muscles relax and took pressure off his nerve.

When he was first injured, his doctor said, well, you could have surgery, if you'd like.

The problem is, sometimes surgery helps and sometimes it doesn't. Back surgeries are done less now than they used to be, because often they didn't help.

Often muscles are the cause of our pain. Really often.

And muscles are really good at going into spasm, but they are not so good at releasing their spasm. If we keep moving gently, use ice and an anti-inflammatory on a consistent basis, and get manual muscle therapy if possible, our backs can get better.

Posture plays a big part in back injuries. If you suspect that your back is not as strong as it should be, that would be a good thing for you to work on.

For more about getting a healthy back, visit me at www.SimpleBackPainRelief.com

Pain-free backs rule!

Are You Sitting Down? What Hurts?

I wonder if you are sitting down while you are reading this?

I'd pretty much bet you are. And, I'll bet there is a good chance that something is hurting you while you are reading this.

How about trying something different?

Stand up to read. While you're at it, reach up to the sky with both arms. Big stretch, that's good.

You know how a cat or dog stretches their back legs when they wake up? One leg at a time goes into a backward stretch, away from their body. While you are standing, stretch your right leg out, behind you. Ahhh, that's nice. Now stretch your left leg (while you are standing on the right leg, of course.)

Reading while you are seated is not bad. It is fine, as long as...

1. You are using your strong posture muscles to be upright.
2. You aren't collapsing forward.
3. Nothing hurts.

Otherwise, try a different position to read. You could kneel, or stand, or sit on a big, round ball which will cause you to balance and use your muscles.

Or, start a program which will delevop your strong back muscles so they can hold you up while you read.

Oh! By the way, I am so excited! I recently taped a video just for that purpose - to help you get strong and powerful and pain-free, just like you used to be, when you used all of your muscles. As soon as it is ready, I will let you know.

My goal is for you to be pain free!

Easy back pain relief tip

Hello, again,

When your back hurts, you don't feel like doing much. It may feel strained, or you may have more uncomfortable pain than that.

Try this tip:

Read everything before you try this. Do it only if you are certain that you can get back up, as you feel now. Or, make sure to have someone around to help you, in case you need help.

Lay on the floor. Position yourself so that your tailbone is close to a chair or couch, or even a table. You will be placing your calves on this piece of furniture.

Have this picture in your mind before you start: Your hip joints and knee joints will be bent in right angles (90 degree angles.) Your calves will be parallel to the floor.

Get both calves onto the couch or furniture. Get your "sit bones" as close as you can to the couch.

Now all you have to do is lay there. Fifteen minutes would be great. The more pain you are having, the longer you should rest in this position. It relaxes the low back and all of the muscles which attach to the back.

You could use this position several times a day if you are in a lot of pain. Or you could use it once a day when you feel the need.

There is a second part which I will share with you next time.

P.S. Remember, breathing is not only necessary, it is a good way to relax. When you are laying down, practice breathing in a way which will expand your chest and back.

And relax.

Simple Pain Relief Secrets

Dear Friend,

I recently read an excellent book. It has a great disclaimer. It said, basically, if you think you need the protection of a disclaimer, then close the book now. The author believes that the most important consultation is the one each person has with him- or herself. He believes in taking personal responsibility for one's own health. I think he is very wise, and you will be very wise if you take responsibility for your own health and well-being.

Your body wants to be well and pain-free. There are simple techniques we can follow to get out of pain. There are easy movements and simple tools which will help us get back to where we want to be. There are logical ways to eat, move and live which will enable us to feel well.

I am looking forward to sharing with you.