Our backs are not only the site of the very important pile of bones and their colleagues called the spine. They are also covered with muscles. The concept of the body core is that the back, along with the belly and the hips, consist the energy and stability foundation for all our movements and even for our posture. Not just standing and walking but sitting and such moves as leaning over from our chair to retrieve a fallen napkin without tumbling onto our head.
Because we can't see them, maybe backs don't get enough respect. When meditating, I like to sit toward the front edge of a fairly firm chair. When I erect my spine, lifting the top of my head straight up, it feels noticeably good. When I do a yoga bridge (the ordinary one with my arms and my shoulders on the floor), it feels good. One activity while meditating is to scan each part of my body, sensing how that part feels. I enjoy trying to be aware of how my back feels and how it is positioned.
The most basic yoga activity for me is the cat and the cow alternation, where I am on my knees and hands and I flex my back so that my head and butt are up and my back is bowed down toward the floor (the cow). Then, I arch my back and drop my head (the cat). This also feels good.
I can create ongoing pain a day or two after making some sudden hard move. I think I did that last week trying to get my bike into motion while the light was still green. A heating pad and ibuprofen plus very gentle yoga and exercise as pain, improving looseness and healing permit, are my best tools for recovery, beyond simply having patience with my body, which is not easy for me. I have found that less sitting for reading or computer use helps as does switching the mouse buttons for a day or two and using the mouse with my other hand.
Recently, I had a variety of pain and stiffness in my hips, thighs and knees. I am still seeing doctors and trying things. The best improvement so far has been after switching from a couple of ibuprofen pills in the middle of the night to two naproxen sodium (Aleve) pills in the morning and two at night. My doctor told me that not all specialists like Aleve and that it is slow to take effect but safe. It has been immediately helpful for me and I am impressed.
I still have work to do on my stride and my ability to raise a leg, as when mounting a bike.
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Bill
Main blog: Fear, Fun and Filoz
Main web site: Kirbyvariety
