Padded Swing Chairs
Back pain. It is going to hit over half of the population at one time or other. It not only takes you away from work and earning a living, it also cripples your chances at socializing, promotions and enjoying yourself.
So, first thing in the morning, stretch out and perform a few simple movements. They pay off in big dividends.
Crunches. That is right, crunches. Providing that the small of your back is pressed into the floor or mat, you should be able to complete these without back pain. Remember, small of the back must contact the mat. A strong waist will take pressure off of the back.
The Standing Twist. Stand with your feet apart and twist from left to right, then right to left. Let your arms swing loosely. Each time that you stop twisting, let your arms keep swinging until your fists gently tap the front and back of your body. Then swing the other way.
Side bends. You can do this with your arms by your sides. Lean one way as far as you can, without bending forward, then lean the other way. Ten times each side.
Bending forward and backwards. Now, some trainers and medical people disagree with bending backwards, so do so at your own risk. Better yet, lie on your back, on an exercise ball. Lean back and relax. Feel your spine stretch out. You can also do this on a padded bench. But, the ball is safer.
The full squat. Children and people from the third world squat naturally. In the west, we sit too much and are very tight in the hips,lower back and legs. You might have to work up to this gradually. First, try the half squat. Then try kneeling. If there is no great pain, squat down and balance yourself on the balls of your feet.
Next, squat flat footed. Hold this position for a few minutes until you are comfortable with it. Your knees might hurt some, initially. But, with practice, you can get into a full squat and relax. People do this the world over and have far less back problems than we of the chair-sitting western world. Several weight-lifting books written in the 1930′s, 50′s and even 70′s demonstrated the full squat with weight. Full squats with weight can be risky with most of the population. I have done both and find that you have to use a relatively light weight and follow very strict form with the full squat.
The average westerner spends most of their time sitting. Sitting on the couch, at the meal table, in a car and at a desk. No wonder we have so many back problems here in the “developed” nations. Some people criticize the suggested exercises claiming that it might strain the spine. Sitting compresses the spine.
So, get up, stretch, breath deep and move.
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Padded Swing Chairs