As you may know, the foundations of my Back Togetherprogram are based on the couples-based approach to finding relief from pain. For the holiday season, what could make your loved one feel more appreciated and loved than a nice, slow relaxing massage (perhaps even followed by some nice nookie….)

Even if you don’t know much about massage, you likely have some idea of the kinds of touch that will make your partner feel relaxed. For this to be an effective gift, and not a cheap out- plan on spending some time. An hour or so would be nice. You don’t need to, but you can pick up some body lotion or scented oil to make the experience a little more special. My favorite low-cost additions are some candles throughout the room, as well as some soft music (anything by Ella Fitzgerald will work- but that’s just me.)

Start with your partner’s feet- gently massage them out, and slowly work your way up their thighs, and then to their lower back. Gentle pressure is all that is needed to help your partner realx. Go over their whole spine, avoiding the center of their spine- and never pressing on the small bumps or spinous processes in the middle.

A gentle scalp massage, working down towards the temples will just melt the stress away.

Give this a try. I’ve never met ANYONE who didn’t appreciate this kind, romantic gesture.

Be well,

Andy

Covent Garden at Christmas Time

It looks like there are quite a few of us who are living up to our New Years resolutions!

When I was on my trip last week, I didn’t follow my diet as well as I could have, but there was tons & tons of additional walking involved, and the net effect was that I lost another 2 pounds- this brings my total loss to 9 pounds since starting. Not bad!!!

Now, this week I have all kinds of stress, my timing is all messed up, and I am jetlagged- so I am pretty sure my exercise will be a little off this week. Need to find some way to either compensate with added activity near the end of the week, or limiting my calories this week. I think I will go with plan A.

I have been getting regular updates from folks, and you should all be proud!!! Those of you watching from the sidelines who have a few pounds to shed- it’s not too late to join us.

Viewer Letters:

Last week I got a bunch of letters from folks. A couple of them caught my eye:

“Andy- My husband and I have been working on our weight together since you started your challenge. We’ve both been losing weight, and feeling the difference. It makes such a difference to be doing it along with you and your other readers- that we aren’t doing it alone…Sandra”

Sandra- thanks for the letter. You touched upon exactly the reason I embarked upon this quest in public in the first place- it is always easier when you aren’t going it alone. That is also the reason I have been pushing my partner-based approach to back and neck pain: having someone there to motivate you can make such a difference.

“We got your book as part of an engagement present, and we’ve been using it for about 3 months. All I can say is THANK YOU! This is the first book I have read which makes me feel like I am in control of my body. Mark and I do the techniques together a few times a week, and we really feel the results. The (psychological strategies) really help too. We just ordered your DVD program…Jen”

I am so glad to be able to help you both. I wasn’t clear from your letter if it is you, Mark, or both of you feeling pain- but I hope you continue to get the benefits. You will LOVE the DVD program.

Thanks for visiting,

-Andy

A Baptism at the Holy site at Yardenite, on the Jordan River.

A new study from the university discussed the concept of integrated movement- a process where patients are encouraged to have more body awareness in an effort to reduce their pain. I touched upon this concept in my book, Back Together, in the chapter discussing the learned neurologic response.

It is widely known that injured patients will subconsciously limit their range of motion on certain movements following an injury in an effort to find less painful ways to accomplish various tasks and activities. Unfortunately, these self imposed modifications become learned, and the altered body mechanics remain even after the injury has resolved. This can lead to further problems down the road because of irregular wear & tear on joints, as well as a higher likelihood of being re-injured.

This study focused on the use of Sensory Motor Learning, which is an extension of the concepts of the Feldenkrais Method (A widely utilized modality which encourages body awareness, and focuses on postural stability.) Basically, they found that patients who focused on these body skills had better control over their back pain and improved their mechanics.

Again, I love it when a study reinforces what I see clinically. When I have patients recovering from back or neck injury, I often have them address the learned neurological response as part of their recovery. Basically, if a patient has pain performing a specific movement, I will ask them to look at their daily activities and try to identify and analogous, or mechanically similar movement which does not cause them pain. I will encourage them to take time from their day to do repetitions of the non-pain inducing movements followed by a few repetitions of the pain inducing movement- paying attention to the mechanical similarities and differences between them. Over the course of days or sometimes weeks, they will gradually shift the balance towards the movement which was originally causing them pain- but with progressively less discomfort, undoing the altered, damaged body mechanics established following their injury.

Follow up on the sex furniture piece from yesterday…

Thank you so much for all of the great feedback on yesterday’s piece on products to help  find comfortable positions for sexual activity. As happened with the previous post on this topic, I received several emails where people shared their successes and failures in this regard. Some folks were very grateful for the information, and were also glad to find that they were not alone with this difficulty. As I suspected, this is a really neglected issue for back pain sufferers.

A quick note about Back Together:

I created Back Together in an effort to provide a useful resource for people and their partners or spouses whose lives have been adversely affected by back pain. I hope to help as many people as I can to rid their lives of back pain. You may have noticed that I go to great lengths to use egalitarian language wherever possible, and I do this to underscore that back together is here for EVERYONE. In the past month I have received about ten emails from individuals asking me to refrain from using the word ‘partner’ in addition to spouse. Again, Back Together is for EVERYONE- And I want to be very clear that I do not and will not discriminate against anyone based on race, religion, sexual orientation, age- or anything else for that matter.

My wish is to slowly develop a community of people who are finding ways to lead pain-free lives- and that everyone is included and welcome, so you really don’t need to send me any more of these emails. Thanks.

Coming up:

-A new ‘One Thing’ segment with Pilates instructor, Amanda Mitchell.

-Some thoughts on preventing back injuries relating to falls.

-Reviews of two new studies regarding back pain and medications.

-As always, new Tips o’ the Day.

- And a whole lot more.

Thanks for visiting. Be well!

-Andy

Cynwyd Elementary participating in Treats for Troops- sending care packages to U.S. troops stationed in Afghanistan.