Back Pain Explained

Back Pain explains what back pain is and how it can be treated and prevented.

Basic Anatomy:

• Back Pain Home
• Anatomy for Beginners
• Types of Pain
• Finding Acute Relief
• Intervertebral Disc
• The Spinal Ligaments
• The Sacrum
• The Vertebra

Causes of Back Pain:

• Backache
• Prolapsed Disc
• Sciatica
• Spinal Stenosis
• Scoliosis
• Spondylosis
• Spondylolisis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Sacroiliac Joint
• Ankylosing Spondylitis
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Coccydynia

Back Pain Exercises:

• Benefits of Exercise
• Simple Exercises
• Core Stability
• Swiss Ball

Proper Posture:

• How Good is Yours?
• Posture in Depth
• Sitting Posture
• Standing Posture

Types of Therapy:

• Complementary Therapy
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Acupuncture

Surgery For Back Pain:

• Introduction
• Laminectomy
• Lumbar Discectomy
• Nerve Root Block

How is My Standing Posture?

Standing posture is a different beast altogether to that of sitting. In the streets you will find many variations out there! If you look out on the street you will see a whole host of different body postures and yes everyone is different so I wouldn't stress about it too much. Unless of course you have pain, in which case it may be a factor. You should then take more notice of how you stand.

I will just outline how to find a better standing posture and you can see how far you are away from it. Don't worry if you cant achieve it as you may lots of tight and weak muscles that make it difficult for you to achieve, in this case you should seek the advice of a health professional, perhaps a physiotherapist?

Wall Exercise

First, find a wall and stand with your back and shoulders to it.

Now, I want you to tilt your pelvis backwards. To do this, just flatten your low back against the wall. Good.

Now do the opposite and tilt your pelvis forwards. Do this by arching your low back off the wall so you hollow it. You should now be able to get a hand behind the gap in the small of your back. Good.

You have now tilted your pelvis forwards and backwards. All you have to do is find the mid-point of these 2 movements and that will put your pelvis into neutral.

Whilst maintaining a neutral pelvis, lets move the focus to your upper body. Starting with your shoulder blades, gently draw them back and down, this should be effortless. Do no strain or force this movement, it may feel strange as you are not used to this position but it must not be a strain. And finally, just lengthen the back of your neck!

Well done if you have done everything so far! If you maintain all of these components you will have close to a great posture.

Remember, it may feel strange as your body is not used to be in this posture but it should not feel strained (otherwise you are trying too hard!)