Here is the link to my most recent post on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Daily Blog. This weeks post is on the 3 mistakes many back pain sufferers make when recovering from pain which keep them from ever really feeling great.
Are you making any of these mistakes? Do you know someone who has?
Tomorrow: Viewer Question and iPad app update.
Thanks for stopping by,
Andy
Here’s a nice simple one for those of you who are getting new computers or workstations for the holidays: When you are positioning all of your equipment, use your glasses to help figure out the height of your computer screen. By placing it so that the arms of your eyeglasses are parallel to the floor, you can be certain your neck will be in a neutral position when working, or on line.
Check back later this week for great tips for breastfeeding mothers, as well as a review of a wonderful sexual aid for folks with back pain.
Thanks for stopping by!
Andy
I had several visits with a patient who had neck pain which she related to computer use. If you’ve checked out my recent posts on Martha Stewart’s Whole Living Daily, you’ve seen my suggestions on making your home and workspace more back friendly. This patient had taken all of my suggestions, and modified her desk space- altering the height and position of her monitor and keyboard, optimized her chair, etc… and she still had neck pain.
I did not identify any significant mechanical problems with her neck- so I sat her down in front of my computer and had her browse the internet for a few minutes (checking out some of her favorite posts here on BackWords!) Almost immediately, I was able to see what the problem was- she was squinting at the screen, and craning her neck forward to see it better. I quickly asked her when her last eye exam was, and she told me ‘more than 4 years ago.’
She had an eye exam, got her prescription changed, and her neck pain went away.
Get regular eye exams!
-Andy
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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
I almost hate to talk about shoes in the midst of all of this Sex and the City hyperhype. If I hear the words ‘Manolo Blahnik’ one more time, I may need therapy. But the truth is, high heels get somewhat of a bad rap in discussions about back pain. You always hear about how wearing these shoes or those shoes caused back pain, but there are some things you can do to prevent this from happening to you. When you are considering how shoes might affect you, there are a few things to consider:
-If you need to wear heels for work, or an occasion- try to keep them no higher than 1 to 1.5 inches in height. Higher than this, and you will alter your pelvic tilt, and compromise your body mechanics.
-If you must wear heels higher than that, try to stick with ones that have a wider, more supportive heel (mules for example.) These will provide lateral support and put you at less risk than stiletto types.
-There are no dress shoes (for women or men) that are particularly supportive, so really try to wear them only when you need to. Good shock absorption and arch support can to a lot to protect your back from harm. I love when I see folks walking to work in a suit wearing sneakers, and changing into their shoes when they get where they are going.
As a guy who wears cowboy boots most of the time, I take my footwear seriously!
Just a few thoughts. Be Well!
-Andy
Honestly- these shoes are HEINOUS!
See your family doctor regularly for general check ups- there are some conditions that cause back pain and have nothing to do with your back. Some of these conditions are serious- and they can involve almost any of your internal organs. Early intervention can often mean the difference between relief and a catastrophe.
If you have new-onset pain which lasts more than a few days, see your doctor right away- particularly if your pain does not have a clear cause (like you’ve been gardening or moving furniture all week!)
Many people develop back pain, and believe they will ‘work through it’ or that it will simply go away. Don’t fall into this trap, and you will save yourself lots of aggravation.
Thank you for stopping by!
Best,
Andy
If you do not play golf, you probably don’t recognize how strenuous it can actually be. The lumbar spine and shoulders are subjected to tremendous torque, and the whole ‘drive’ portion of the game is a ‘ballistic’ exercise- meaning there is instantaneous generation of enormous energy.
Be sure to hydrate before hitting the links, and take a few minutes to stretch.
Follow a round of golf with good hydration (not the cocktails you may be tempted to have) a good, high protein meal, and adequate rest to give your body the opportunity to recover (the length of time needed to recover varies from person to person- the simple rule is to wait until most of your muscle soreness has resolved.) This will ensure that you will be able to play throughout the season.
As the weather warms up here in the Northern Hemisphere, look for more tips and articles on getting the most pain-free experience out of Spring-Summer sports.
Enjoy,
Andy
I know, I know- your kids will say they will look dorky if they have a roller. I tell my daughter she will look dorkier walking around lopsided because of the damage to her back carrying around a hundred pounds of books. They make cool looking ones, and you will save your children from potentially serious back problems.
Enjoy your weekend!
-Andy
The skilled touch of a loved one can have a greater, longer lasting effect on back pain.
If you live in a home with more than 1 floor, have duplicates of cleaning supplies; brooms, etc…(vacuum might be pushing it) on each floor to avoid having to carry around a bevy of items between floors. Keep separate sets of bathroom cleaning supplies under each bathroom sink as these rooms get cleaned more often.
Best,
Andy
Many people are on auto-pilot when it comes to clothing; purchasing the same size every time with no regard for what actually fits. Some men are particularly guilty of this- often in denial of the growth in their midsection over time, as their pants sit lower and lower on their bodies. Poorly fitting pants will place pressure directly on the sacroiliac joints and set you up for back pain. The next time you go shopping, get a good measurement, and buy the correct size!
A.T.Still, the creator of Osteopathic medicine.
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