Today, Adam Vitolo from the Iyengar Institute presents his One Thing- on posture.
I spend several hours every week discussing posture with my patients, who are quick to blame pretty much everything else for their back pain. I love it when something as simple as some attention to posture can relieve an individual of their back & neck pain.
Thanks for stopping by,
Andy
.
In my ‘One Thing’ series, experts in back pain from various fields share their one best piece of advice for preventing or eliminating back and neck pain. Today, physical therapist Meghan B. Tierney, PT, MPT, OCS shares her one thing. Meghan is the founder and proprietor of One Physical Therapy and Wellness in Bryn Mawr PA.
Back Together DVD program now available from Amazon. Click here to order!
Thanks for visiting,
-Andy
Today, Matt Dubrow, D.O. presents his ‘One Thing.’ His recommendation, to stretch first thing in the morning, is a great one. You are far more likely to injure your back in the morning before you have adequately warmed up, than at any other time during the day. You would be surprised how many people throw their backs out while sitting on the edge of their bed putting on a pair of socks! Thank you again Matt!
I have asked stretching expert Jorden Gold to provide a follow up to this post, and give us his 3 best first-thing-in-the-morning stretches. Look for that post early next week.
Thanks for visiting,
Andy
Dr. Erin Finn is an Emergency Department physician, who sees every manner of back pain in her day to day work in the ER. Today she presents her ONE THING, a continuing series where experts in various fields share their number one suggestion for preventing or relieving back & neck pain.
You hear me harp over and over about the dangers of a sedentary lifestyle with regards to back pain. Here are some additional tips you can use to prevent becoming a victim of sitting on your butt:
-If you are sitting for more than 30 minutes, get up and stretch out your legs and back.
-Take a few minutes at lunch time to take a walk, even if it is just around your office building or school.
-If you have an exercise bike, or treadmill- set it up where you watch TV so you can take a sedentary activity, and make it an active one.
-Park your car a few spots out when you are grocery shopping, or going to the mall- the extra few steps won’t hurt.
-Don’t lose track of how much time you are wasting on the internet. GET UP!
-If you are a student, put some of your notes on 3×5 cards so you can ‘stroll & study.’
-Take the stairs when you can.
So try to keep moving. Like Dr. Finn said- if you rest, you rust!
Be well!
-Andy
Today, Bob Campbell, Physical Therapist from Rasansky Physical Therapy shares his ‘one thing.’ His clip is based on the observation (shared by many practitioners) that lots of patients will give up on their home exercises once their pain resolves. Remember- most back & neck pain is the result of lots of cumulative effects- and that some of these, if not most, are lifestyle issues. If you do not address the lifestyle issues which caused you back pain after you have been treated, your pain is not likely to stay away for long.
Thanks for checking in,
-Andy
Today Jorden Gold returns to BackWords to give us his ‘One Thing’;
All too often we move through our day, unaware of our own body mechanics. Jorden’s suggestion is to pay attention to the way you move, how you hold your posture, and how your body performs different activities. My Tip O’ the Day for today plays into this- take a couple of minutes each day to think about your mechanics, your posture, and the ergonomics of some of your activities- and make them better.
Enjoy!
-Andy
Thanks for the feedback on Deb Rasansky’s ‘One Thing.’ The thing about asking someone to summarize their very best suggestion in 90 seconds or less is that I may have to elaborate a little on their suggestion so you get the ‘meat.’ Here’s a follow up on Deb’s post….
The video shot is a little wonky- No tripod!!!!
Well, we pulled into the driveway at the end of our return trip from Florida- opened the door and were treated to Arctic temperatures- I always wonder why we don’t all pick up and move south…
The trip was great- I shot some video which I will spread out here over the next few weeks. I met with my friend Jorden Gold from the Stretch Zone, who provided us his ‘One Thing’ which I will post later today.
I was supposed to start the Back Together Tip o’ the Day (B.T.T.o.D.) yesterday, but alas, could not find a functioning WiFi spot ANYWHERE on I95- If anyone wants a great business idea- provide wireless internet along I95- you’ll clean up!!! (I want a percentage for thinking of it…)
In any case, the B.T.T.o.D. will start today. I have tied todays’ tip to Jorden’s post. Each day, Monday through Friday, I will try to provide you one back pain prevention or relief tip. For the week, I will try to establish a theme. This weeks theme is: POSTURE.
I hope you find these tips helpful and enjoyable.
All my best, and stay warm!!!
-Andy
When Kevin and I set out to produce a DVD program version of my book, it was very important to both of us (as musicians- me, a pianist- and Kevin a bassist in the popular group, Finotee) that we had top notch music to back us up. There were certain flavors we were looking for- and most importantly, I wanted the music on the main menu to have a really distinctive message.
I have been a fan of Howard Jones’ music since I first heard him in 1983. His one-man keyboard setup was innovative and inspiring. He was kind enough to provide his song “Everlasting Love” for our soundtrack. As this program was primarily geared towards couples, the message behind the song was perfect.
I’ve personally known DJ Jazzy Jeff for many years now, and his technical expertise was really helpful to me in developing the parts of the soundtrack which I created myself. Kevin and I wanted music behind some of the techniques and transitions that would be ear catching without being distracting. Jeff was kind enough to create 2 simple tracks for us- one ‘basic’ track, and one with a keyboard lead played by yours truly.
I am truly grateful for their contributions to the program- these detail things are what make a good program great! Please visit their sites (see my links) and if you have an opportunity to see either of these really talented artists live, I encourage you to do so.
Me & Jazzy Jeff
Howard Jones on-stage in New York.
Good vibes from Howard Jones…
Great Response to The One Thing…
People really enjoyed Deb Rasansky’s ‘One Thing’ from Thursday, and several people have sent me emails about wanting to provide their ‘One Thing.’
If you would like to send me your ‘One Thing’- please email me an MPEG of your thought, your full name, where you hail from, as well as your title and degree. I will post the best ones.
Be well,
Andy
As promised, the first in a series of short videos entitled ‘The One Thing.’ Periodically I will be asking experts in different areas of back pain to give us their ‘One Thing’- that one recommendation which comes to mind when trying to prevent or relieve back and neck pain.
Todays clip is from Deb Rasansky, a gifted physical therapist I have had the privilege of working with for almost 10 years. She has been one of my best go-to people with complicated cases. Deb, you were wonderful- Enjoy!
If you would like to submit your ‘One Thing’, please send an MPEG, along with your name, title/degree, and how you want to be introduced. I will choose the best ones to share with my viewers.
Be well,
-Andy
Subscribe to BackWords
