|
 |
| |
Franklin Massage Therapy / Upper & Lower Back Pain
Upper and lower back pain seem to be inherent in
our Wester society today. From the hours of sitting in front of the computer (I'm just as guilty
as you, ) to the sedentary lives and poor diet we live with, lower and upper back pain seem to come hand in hand. And...there's
something you can do about it.
Most of my clients that have back problems are guilty of
one or more of these habits...poor posture and poor lifting technique. As far as your posture is concerned, please
take a look at the way you sit in your chair. Are your shoulders slumped over? Is your head leaning over the keyboard
to read the screen? Are you leaning back too far in your chair and rounding your back? These are very simple
things you can look at to make sure your back is in a good position while you sit.
Did
you know that for every inch you lean your head forward from it's center line, you add 10 pounds of weight to your skull.
So, let's do the math. Your head weighs about 10 pounds, so if you are leaning two inches forward, your neck, shoulder
and back muscles are having to hold up a 30 pound bowling ball on top of your body! Eventually your back muscles are
going to let you know that they're unhappy with the extra weight and give you a reminder...a back ache.
And now let's talk about lifting. We all know that we should "lift with your legs." That means
squat down, hold the item, and then stand up straight, using your legs to lift the object. But we've all done
it....grabbed something off the floor quickly by bending over and up we go! And then it happens. That burn you
feel when the muscle tears...the pain that almost takes your breath away...and the realization that you've just really
hurt yourself. (My worst back injury happened in the spring of 1986 in Mobile, Alabama. It was early morning
and I bent over to pick up a camera lying on the ground. The pain was so tremendous that i will never forget it!)
So, the best way to avoid these injuries is to take your time and lift with your legs...and get help lifting things that are
just too heavy for one person to carry.
And did you know that massage is a great way to
help your upper and lower back? By relaxing these muscles and increasing the blood flow to the muscle tissues,
your body will help start a healing process. Either with deep tissue, acupressure or stretching techniques, your tired
and overworked muscles will get the nutrients they need to feel better. Of course, if you are experiencing any kind
of injury to your back, you should seek proper medical care from your healthcare practitioner. Severe back pain can
be serious, so please consult your physician prior to getting any kind of bodywork....and then get a massage!
|
|
|
