Sciatica & Back Pain Q&A

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The Better Back System

The Better Back System helps you understand how your back works - it explains things simply and clearly. Learn about your treatment options and also what you might encounter in the medical system.

Follow this system and you'll know how to avoid expensive and possibly needless treatments for your sciatica & back pain.

Best of all it gives you simple, step by step instructions and videos for a range of exercises to help you stop your sciatica and back pain.

Find out about the Better Back System.





* * IMPORTANT * *

Before you undertake any of the practices or exercises described in this site, make sure you read the disclaimer.



Archive for April, 2007

Exercises For Sciatica & Back Pain Relief #2

Friday, April 6th, 2007

FACT: In modern life, most people’s back problems arise from too little movement of the right type.

If you let this happen to you, then the muscles that support your back will get out of condition. Then when a strain is placed upon your back, it’s unable to respond properly.

This is especially true if you’re a so-called “weekend warrior” i.e. you have bursts of exercise or play sport with little exercise or preparation in between. (You can often get away with this when you’re young, but not as you get older e.g. 35+).

The result is the muscles supporting your spine “freeze” as a protective measure to prevent injury. This freezing is one of the common sources of back pain and stiffness.

The problems can then start to compound because the pain and stiffness often mean you move less. If you’re not moving much, this means your back becomes weaker and a vicious cycle of pain, stiffness and weakness starts.

So the way to break this cycle is:

Number 1.

Be aware of what your back is doing. The phrase “learn to listen to your body” is often used in health and fitness programs.

The same goes for your back - learn to listen to it. If it feels stiff, get up and/or have a stretch and change position.

- Get up and walk around briefly every 20-30 minutes if you’re a desk worker (PCs are notoriously bad for necks and shoulders).

- If you drive long distances stop and walk around your vehicle every hour or so.

- Lift things correctly - legs bent, arms & load close to your body, stomach muscles clenched, don’t twist until you have stopped lifting.

Number 2.

Regularly exercise your whole body because your back is intimately connected with all of your body.

For example if you have tight hamstrings you will probably get back problems.

Why? Because your hamstrings are very strong muscles and if they’re stiff and pulling on your back, they’re easily strong enough to pull it out of alignment.

The simplest whole-of-body exercise is walking (swimming is even better). Commit yourself to walking a bit more every day and have an occasional swim if you don’t already.

WEIGHT LOSS TIP: I recently read a study which claimed a walk before breakfast will increase your weight loss. Apparently your body burns more fat when you exercise on an empty stomach.

Number 3.

Practice specific exercises to loosen and strengthen the supporting “core stability” muscles and ligaments in your back and surrounding areas.

The specialized exercises for your back in the Better Back System really help you wake up and strengthen your core stability muscles and make your back work properly again.

REMEMBER: Always read our disclaimer before you attempt any exercise.

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