Walnut Creek Chiropractor

It may not surprise you that chiropractors like me, your Walnut Creek chiropractor, have a superior reputation when it comes to eliminating back pain. This is due to the fact that chiropractors are highly experienced when it comes to the spine. In fact, the word “chiropractor” and “spine” are almost synonymous! Anyone who’s ever suffered from back pain — be it mild, moderate, or severe — who has chosen chiropractic treatment — whether from a chiropractor in Walnut Creek or anywhere else in the world where chiropractic treatment is available — has discovered the power of this superior non-invasive, drug-free treatment for relieving back pain. It goes without saying that, in addition, since chiropractors are also experts when it comes to treating the rest of the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic care can frequently eliminate neck pain, shoulder pain, elbow pain, hip pain, knee pain, and ankle pain. Chiropractic treatment can also give relief from conditions like stress headaches, migraines, carpal tunnel, and plantar fascitis.  The healing capabilities of chiropractic are numerous!

There are moments, even for chiropractors, the potency of chiropractic treatment and its capacity to help people get rid of pain and get their life back again can seem, well, almost miraculous. When I hear from chiropractic patients who’ve not only experienced pain relief through chiropractic care, but also more life and energy, stress reduction and relaxation, and a greater ability to get a good night’s sleep, I feel gratified.

Still, a research article I read recently in the scientific periodical, Journal of Pediatric, Maternal and Family Health, brought tears to my eyes (and I’m generally a pretty macho guy!). The research detailed the case of a severely disabled sixteen year old girl suffering from Cerebral Palsy with muscle spasticity and sleep disturbances. Her family was most distressed about her inability to sleep through the night. To compound the young girl’s condition,when she was seven years old, surgeons fused metal rods in her spine, from neck to base.

The mother of the girl hoped that chiropractic treatment could correct her daughter’s spinal misalignments and relieve her all too frequent severe pain. One can only imagine that the examination was difficult. But the chiropractor was able to ascertain that there were several subluxations that could be safely adjusted. The chiropractor treated the girl twice per week. The girl was sleeping through the night after just six adjustments. A measurable improvement in her muscle spasticity was found by her ninth visit.

Though full recovery was not expected, “the patient and her family were able to return to a normal sleep schedule as well as enjoy improved quality of life,” the research authors noted.

“Improved quality of life.” Who could ask for more from treatment? No one!  But, let me tell you, more chiropractors experience just that with their patients than medical doctors do.

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San Diego Chiropractor

As a San Diego Chiropractor, I counsel many individuals who come to my clinic who want to lose weight. I know how hard it can be, and I also know how important it is to lose those extra pounds. What’s the harm in being just a few pounds overweight? Over the years, extra weight can add up to a large number of health challenges from heart and pulmonary diseases and diabetes to back challenges and joint degeneration. Extra pounds put undue stress on organs, like the heart, as well as on joints in the low back, hips, and knees. Regrettably,more than half (62%) of men and women in the U.S. are overweight or obese, according to recent studies. That is a very significant percentage and a sizable problem (no pun intended).

Though it is able to compensate to some degree the human body has not evolved to transport surplus poundage in the form of body fat. Just an additional 20 or 30 pounds can literally overload and overburden the joints and muscles of the body. Added weight in the belly, for instance, requires that the body compensate (counterbalance the weight) by tilting the pelvis forward. The tilt puts pressure on the joints of the low back. Joint compression impedes nerve activity and causes painful inflammation. Most men and women who have a heavy midsectionfeel substantial pain in their low back generated by  a pinched sciatic nerve or spinal misalignments that restrict nerves as a result of weight-bearing stresses. If left untreated, misaligned vertebra not only continue to irritate the degenerative changes that have taken place already, but can create new arthritic changes in the spine in the future.

How can chiropractic help? To begin with the obvious, a healthy body weight is necessary in order for the musculoskeletal system to function in the way it is built to. That said, in addition, chiropractic adjustments relieve nerve compression in the spine and help to get motion back into the joints of the musculoskeletal system, particularly in the low back, hips, and knees. And, naturally exercise and physical activity are a lot easier, and more beneficial for the body, when the the joints have good movement and the spine is aligned. Not only will exercise help with weight reduction, but it can actually inhibit degenerative changes as the body ages.

Healthcare professionals, like your chiropractor, can talk to you about your diet and exercise choices. In addition to helping people suffering from back pain and joint inflammation, chiropractors offer proficient advice on the kinds of lifestyle modifications that can help an individual to stay healthier, more vigorous, and more active through the years. Arthritis and immobility due to aging don’t have to be unavoidable. The structure of the human body is intended to carry a person through an entire lifetime of pain-free movement.

So, if those extra pounds have been sneaking up on you, and they’ve turned into a surprising load of pain, as your San Diego chiropractor and someone who understands, I can help. Make an appointment today!

Technorati Tags: arthritis, back pain, chiropractic, chiropractor, excess weight, joint inflammation, weight loss

Sacramento Chiropractor

Injuries are not uncommon with any kind of sport. So, it’s a good idea to discover what injury is inclined to happen in a specific sport and then to do whatever it takes to avoid it. The truth is, though, that sports injuries can’t always be avoided. As a result, it’s beneficial to take good care of your body to make injury less probable, or less traumatic.   Prior to starting a sport, such as golf, the most important thing you can do is to be sure that you have the proper fitness level. You may very well keep your body safe from injury if you stick to these general guidelines: Cultivate a healthy lifestyle; keep your joints mobile and your muscles limber; prepare your body before to activity; use proper form and good postures during activity; give yourself plenty of cool down and relaxation time.

It isn’t only amateur golfers who get injured. It has been approximated that nearly a third of pro golfers playing in the same time frame are playing with injuries. The good news is that general good health and fitness can decrease the number of injuries that you may experience and might conceivably prevent them altogether.

It is very important for you to have good body strength in the muscle regions most utilized while playing golf. But, it’s prudent to determine that your spine is in good alignment and that it has good mobility before you set out to build muscle strength. A proficient golf swing is contingent upon your spine’s facility to efficiently rotate effectually. Back injuries are the most common type of injuries experienced by golfers. Your Sacramento chiropractor will establish that your spine is in healthy alignment and that there is effectual movement of the vertebrae. Chiropractic treatment can make a big difference in helping you to avoid back injury.

Once you’re “straightened” it’s time to strengthen. A safe, injury-free day on the green depends upon your being prepared for your golf activity. Golf stretching and flexibility routines will warm up your muscles and make injury them less likely. Flexibility in all regions of the body can be escalated relatively fast as the result of full body range of motion (ROM) exercises. Furthermore, elastic band conditioning offers targeted golf range of motion advantages and can increase needed strength in the shoulders, hips and deep muscles of the core. Since elastic band training provides the dynamic resistance that ordinary weight lifting does not, sports professionals, such as your chiropractor, are making them a part of their golf conditioning programs.

Besides back injuries, many golfers have painful “Golfer’s Elbow.” Though golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow are nearly the same injuries, there is a minor difference between them. Tennis elbow disturbs the outside of the upper arm whereas golfer’s elbow affects the inner arm. Golfer’s elbow, like tennis elbow, can be the consequence of a single violent action, such as (in golf) striking the mat at the driving range or thrusting down on a hard fairway surface. Repetitive stress from smaller shocks, though, is more commonly the protagonist. In addition, it can happen to those who abruptly start playing too much golf. As a case in point, if individuals that usually play golf once or twice a month elect to enter into a tournament, they are conceivably at risk for incurring the injury.

Golf makes unique requirements on the body. Fatigue can be a challenge because the game ordinarily lasts longer than many other sports. Whenever the body is fatigued, poor posture and impeded coordination frequently follow. Together, these two components can produce a variety of injuries. In addition, because of the constant swinging of the golf clubs, the shoulder muscles are prone to injury. Just as attention should be given to make sure that your muscles are stretched and warmed up prior to starting your golf game, be sure to rest your body properly between games.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is, perhaps, an unexpected injury related to golf. But, since it an affliction that comes about due to repetitive stress, many games of golf played over several months constantly may cause this injury. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be a an extremely damaging injury producing incapacitation and on occasion requiring surgery. However, chiropractic treatment and, sometimes the use of a brace will alleviate the problem if a health professional, such as your chiropractor, discovers it at an early stage.

Quite a few golfers seem to feel that injuries are merely an inevitable part of a golfer’s life. However, a healthy, mobile spine, judicious preparation, proper exercise and muscle conditioning, attaining and sustaining a an appropriate fitness level, and reasonable rest and recuperation after your game is over, can help to make injuries much less a part of your golfing experience.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Yong_J_Kim

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When the body is viewed from behind, a normal spine is straight without much deviation from laterally.Scoliosis is a disorder that is commonly associated with a lateral, or side-to-side, curvature of the spine.The affliction shouldn’t be confused with bad posture, although it oftentimes gives the appearance that the person is leaning to one side. Characterized by both lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebra, this puzzling deformity often causes a characteristic “rib hump” in the mid or thoracic spine. This is created by the vertebrae in the region of the major curve rotating toward the concavity and pushing their fastened ribs posterior thus producing the symptomatic rib hump seen in thoracic scoliosis. If the thoracic curve and rib rotation are severe, more than 70 degrees, pulmonary and cardiac function can be impeded. This intensity of curve and consequential cardiac and pulmonary changes are often seen later in life in untreated severe idiopathic infantile and juvenile scoliosis patients and, as such, present a threat to life.

Anatomy

If you were to view the trunk from a side view, the spine would disclose four normal curves: the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and sacral. The thoracic, in the chest region, has a healthy round curve, “reversed C,” called a kyphosis, while in the lower spine there is a normal “C” curve, known as swayback or lordosis. Hyperlordosis is the term used to describe heightened swayback, while increased kyphosis in the thoracic spine is called hyperkyphosis. Alterations from normal that are visible from a side view regularly accompany scoliosis changes. Postural exercises can resolve some round back deformities that are simply due to bad posture. A small number of people with kyphosis have more rigid deformities than the postural type, which are coincidental with vertebral deformity. This type of deformity, called Scheuermann’s kyphosis, is much harder to treat than postural kyphosis, and it’s cause is unknown.

Even a layman can help to identify a child or adult with scoliosis merely by observing the person in a standing position, preferably with no shirt and in , and observing the following:

• One shoulder may be more elevated than the other.

• One scapula (shoulder blade) may be raised or more conspicuous than the other.

• There may be more space between the arm and the body on one side when the arms hang loosely at the side.

• One hip may seem to be higher or more prominent than the other.

• The head is not in plumb with the pelvis.

• One side of the back appears more raised than the other when the individual is observed from the rear and asked to lean forward until the the spine is horizontal.

The child or adult should be sent to a healthcare professional, such as a chiropractor, for further diagnosis once scoliosis is detected. your chiropractor would be happy to help.

The most prevalent type of scoliosis is, by far, Idiopathic, and even though there are many different causes and many varieties, Idiopathic Scoliosis accounts for about 85% of all cases. “Idiopathic” means “no known cause” and is witnessed with equal occurrence in boys and girls in the mild or low curve magnitudes. Depending on the age of onset, this affliction can be sub-classified into infantile, juvenile and adolescent categories. Idiopathic Scoliosis often runs in families and may be due to genetic or hereditary influences. However girls, for unknown reasons are five to eight times more likely than boys to have their curves increase in size and require treatment. The most general time for the development of Idiopathic Scoliosis is during adolescence when children are completing the last major growth spurt. It is smart to have this age group observed by a professional on a regular basis because young people are hesitant to allow their body to be looked at by parents or other adults.

If a scoliotic curve is found in the growing adolescent, it is vital that the curves be monitored for change by periodic examination and occasionally standing X-rays. In ninety percent of cases, the scoliosis is mild and does not require active treatment, however increases in spinal deformity demand evaluation to ascertain if a brace or other treatment is needed. In a small number of patients, surgical treatment may be needed.~Surgery may be needed for a small number of patients.

Brace treatment (orthosis) is recommended for newly-identified cases of moderate scoliosis or abnormal kyphosis, as well as when an increase in scoliosis or kyphosis is identified in both juvenile and adolescent children. There are a number of types of braces, all made to prevent curves from increasing by acting as a buttress for the spine during active skeletal growth. Braces normally will not make the spine perfectly straight, and cannot always keep a curve from increasing. Nevertheless, bracing is effective in stopping curve progression in a very large portion of skeletally-immature adolescents.

There is no simple answer for scoliosis. Most cases, even though regularly monitored, are not actively treated. The standard medical treatment for moderate cases is a brace, whereas severe cases in some cases are treated surgically. You may want to see your local chiropractor first.

Besides bracing, many other methods have been used successfully like specialized exercise, electric stimulation of spinal muscles, nutritional programs, and chiropractic treatments. It looks as if the best results have been sustained with a multi-faceted approach to the treatment of this abnormality.

There are chiropractors, that have excellent success managing scoliosis conditions.

Technorati Tags: back pain, chiropractor, scoliosis

Costa Mesa Chiropractor

There are many men and women today in a daily struggle to lose weight, particularly extra weight around the middle. But, the need to lose weight is, most often, more than merely a cosmetic issue.  In actuality, if people are walking around with extra weight in their midsection, their back is going to be adversely affected as a consequence.

Many men and women who are overweight encounter moderate to severe back pain. This occurs because the spine was not made to carry a load that is heavier than the body is at its normally healthy weight.  As an individual puts on added pounds, the spine starts to distort and to compress, causing a lot of pain and discomfort.  Additionally, it can have an impact on the pelvis, tilting it forward and conceivably causing it to pinch the sciatic nerve. This is a major reason why individuals who are overweight tend to have challenges with their lower back. The suffering is due to either sciatica or the distorting of the spinal column.

If this problem sounds painfully familiar, and you want to get out pain, undoubtedly the thing to do is to get rid of some of the extra weight that you are lugging around, and your spine will immediately regulate and reestablish its regular position.  Regrettably, losing weight is difficult and it can take time, even with the best of intentions. The good news is you don’t have to continue to experience back pain as you lose the weight. A Costa Mesa chiropractor can assist you in getting the pain relief you’ll require to help you as you shed the extra pounds.

However, you will still need to lose the extra pounds, and being free of back pain will actually help you do it. Two things that are simple (but not necessarily easy), but will be extremely beneficial to you in losing the extra weight naturally are getting some sort of exercise, even if it’s merely a little bit per day, and modifying the food you eat so that you are taking in fewer calories than you are using throughout the day. Sure, you’ve heard about these two things before. However, now that you know your back is depending on you, it definitely time to get truly motivated.

Start exercising slowly, particular if you’re having difficulties with back pain. And, most importantly, be sure to seek out Costa Mesa chiropractic care so that you don’t make the blunder that many people do, which is to exercise into the pain. That will only make matters worse. Exercise, though occasionally uncomfortable, should never be painful or cause pain. That’s why it’s crucial to see a chiropractor if you’re having difficulties with back pain.

Do simple stretching exercises and also concentrate on your core abdominal body muscles. Strong stomach muscles help to ease back pain. Your chiropractor will be able to provide exercises that are best for you, individually. After a very short period of dedication to losing the weight that is creating your back pain and perhaps other health issues as well, you ought to begin to notice an enormous difference in the way that you feel.

Technorati Tags: back pain, chiropractor, fat, overweight

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine.  Nowadays, many sufferers all over the world are undergoing relief from their back pain and other problems by coming in to see an acupuncturist on a regular basis.  Pursuant to traditional Chinese acupuncture therapy, small needles are inserted into the body at specific points that are said to affect a number of different areas of the body.  In traditional therapy, only the needles are used, but sometimes and in particular in recent years, minute electrical currents are passed through the needles into the body.  Despite the fact that it may seem as if it would be painful, it rarely ever is and, actually, many people feel tranquil and pleasurable sensations whenever they are undergoing acupuncture treatments.

Chiropractic

For over one hundred years, chiropractors, such as a Honolulu chiropractor, (also called doctors of chiropractic) have been treating men, women, and even children suffering from back pain and other health problems. A chiropractor cares for those who are in pain due to musculoskeletal and nervous system challenges. Chiropractic medicine treats the misalignments of the vertebral column that hamper the capacity of the nervous system. These misaligned vertebra can reduce resistance and immunity, thus producing new health problems. An effective chiropractor has superior observational and diagnostic skills that assist in uncovering physical anomalies and joint conditions. Many chiropractors complete neurological tests and orthopedic checks. Some will analyze the posture of a person in order to identify postural anomalies, and may also analyze a person’s gait to determine faulty movement patterns. Chiropractic therapy non-surgical, drug-free treatment and in addition will offer advice and provide education concerning the advantages of individual lifestyle changes, such as in exercise and nutrition.

So, if you have back pain, headaches, neck pain, hip pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, balance challenges, or arthritis, and you’ve tried a number of other things and they haven’t worked, chiropractic and acupuncture may be able to help.  One way to find out  for sure is to visit a good chiropractor or acupuncturist, and to allow them to clarify for you exactly what they are going to be able to do for you.  It’s very possible that you will experience some relief from your suffering even after only one visit.  With subsequent visits, you will continue to make improvements, and you might just discover that these natural treatments work best for your back pain.

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Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain?

Low Back Pain

Low back pain is second in commonality only to the common cold. It affects more than 80% of people. Although most people are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the problem.

Anatomy

Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is essential in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are made of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to dictate the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, made of tough cartilage, link the bodies of the vertebrae. This strong cartilage encases the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The discs act as shock absorbers and spacers between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also join the vertebrae. The sacrum is a wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine. It is connected to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.

Causes of Back Pain

Most often, back pain comes about without a trauma, an accident, or a major injury prior to the onset. The source of most back pain is the cumulative effects of awkward sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise and other poor lifestyle-related factors.  All of these factors cause stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually produce pain. This is why people can often injure their back simply by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already put in jeopardy and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the challenge. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.

Disc Problems & Sciatica

Prolonged sitting, especially in a slouched position causes increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles around the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its usual function and no longer can accommodate for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. In the end, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it creates the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, an individual can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and sometimes weakness in the lower extremities. Regrettably, if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition isn’t managed properly, surgery may beneeded to remove the herniated disc material. Nonetheless, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully recover. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms defined above, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic assistance.

Spondylosis

Increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine occurs when there is repetitive assault to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments. This stress can negatively affect the cartilage around the joints and cause calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can compress adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a kind of arthritis that is likely to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. But, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic treatment and overall chiropractic management is very effective in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as assisting Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has assisted many Spondylosis sufferers.

Sacroiliac Problems

Another general area of dysfunction or injury in the low back is in the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints connect the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are normally very strong and stable. Damage from falls, sports injuries, or the lifting of heavy objects can cause the joints to become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position.  This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. The imbalances in the lower extremities caused by sacroiliac subluxation can produce a functional long and short leg. Those with this problem will feel pain particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and feeling tired easily.  Many times this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in eliminating sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.

Spinal Subluxation

Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a common disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can prevail on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. They not only cause pain, but they can also imparel the spinal nerves as they exit the foramen or spaces between the vertebrae, and cause nerve compression, known as paraethesia. Paraesthesia is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities oftenoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best treated by chiropractic adjustments.

Trauma

Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause trauma to the spine and lower back. Often these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this occurs a person can feel considerable pain and immobility. Proper chiropractic care at the onset of symptoms is vital in order to escape long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.

Scoliosis

Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.

When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned dysfunctions of the spine and lower back.

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Many computer users around the world face the problems of back and neck pain. Having your back against the wall usually means you’re in trouble. But for certain yoga positions, having your back firmly against a wall will aid health.

In Hatha Yoga, the practitioner forms what Swami Gitananda calls body geometry–triangles, straight lines, circles and parallel lines. When you do a posture, always stretch your body to its utmost limit and then hold it there for a slow count of 10, gradually building up the time, until each posture can be maintained for 30 seconds. Holding a posture is essential to yoga because it gives the body a chance to settle into the stretch and loosen up. Then each time you stretch it will be just that little bit farther.

Many of the sideways, or lateral, stretches in Hatha Yoga require that the body face forward, with hips level and back and spine tilting neither forward nor back. Beginners tend to lean forward to increase the stretch. But leaning forward is wrong and will actually detract from benefits and possibly cause harm. To perform these stretches properly, make sure to keep your spine firmly against a wall. The wall acts as a prop. Even those who have practiced yoga may find that they cannot bend as far as they thought they could when they do the postures properly. The extra time spent in forming careful postures will pay off: Your body will gain excellent flexibility and strength. It is important to check with your healthcare professional such as your chiropractor, before starting any type of program.

Some of the useful asanas are:

The Diamond Posture (Vajrasana)

Kneel on a thick carpet or blanket with your knees close together. Sit back on your heels and stretch up from your hips, balancing your head well so that a line drawn through ear, shoulder, elbow and hip would be straight. You should sit up in this posture for greatest benefits.

The Locust (Salabhasana)

Most yoga students are familiar with this posture. Lie flat, face down, chin on floor. Make your hands into fists and push them either under your thighs to help the lift, or place them alongside your body. Exhale and lift legs from your hips, tightening your buttocks and stretching your legs up and back. Hold position for as long as possible, exhale, return to starting posture and repeat.

The Dog Stretch (Adho mukha svanasana)

Lie face down, legs stretched back, buttocks tightened and knees pulled back. Place hands just below shoulders, exhale and lift head, then chest, shoulders and torso, pushing down from your pelvis and straightening your arms. From the back of your head to your tailbone, your body should be curved back. Push shoulders back and down. Push head back more. Stay like this as long as possible with normal breathing. Come down very slowly, and relax.

The Twist (Bhardwajasana)

Kneel on the floor and sit back, bringing both feet to the right of your hips. Straighten your right arm, bring it across your body and turn to the left. Place your hand, palm down under your left knee. Exhale, turn your body more to the left and clasp your right elbow with your left hand, from the back. Turn your head and gaze over your right shoulder. Fold position for a few breaths and then twist and look back over your left shoulder. Shoulders should be at right angles to the body. Come back to starting position and repeat on other side. You should do this posture once every hour if you have lower back pain.

Technorati Tags: back pain, neck pain, yoga