Alternative Ways To Combat Back Spasms And Pain!

It seems to me more men suffer from back problems, but women suffer longer, and hurt more intensely. So I did some research. It turns out women under report back pain, because they don't want to be perceived as "the weaker sex." Put when asked in studies, it turns out that men and women suffer equally, 50/50, when it comes to back pain.(I was off here a bit)

However, women have a higher rate of chronic health problems.(Ha, just as I suspected) The data did reveal that women's higher rate of chronic problems is mostly attributed to five chronic disorders: arthritis, mental disorders, neck pain, headaches and back pain.

I will do my best to try and help others that have similar back to mine. Most people with back pain, complain about the lower back mainly. While I have suffered lower back pain after lifting something heavy, or the rare occasion after a workout, my back pain is mid back. Cervical spine is the technical term I believe. If you are truly in pain, you will know exactly where it's coming from. That's the easy part.

Understanding the cause of your back pain is the key to proper treatment. If you strained your back, or pulled a muscle, put ice on it immediately for the first 12 hours. After that, use a heating pad or hot hydrotherapy(spa/Jacuzzi)

Spondylolisthesis. That's the medical term for the cause of my back pain. Spondylolisthesis causes moderate to severe back pain, when adjacent vertebra become unstable and begin to "slip." Vertebrae are also known as "discs." The layman's term for my condition is slipped disc.

I have so many discs that are or easily become misaligned, that my spine is "hyper-mobile." The surrounding muscles spasm as a result of this, and this is what cause the most pain. Tight, spasming muscles that won't relax until the spine is properly alined.

I tried exercise, hot packs, chiropractic, Korean acupuncture, pain killers muscle relaxers, yoga, and others that were forgettable. All of these worked to some extent, for different periods of time, but ultimately I was in pain for a good portion of the day. Every day.

Then last month I discovered two things that are amazingly simple yet super effective. The first thing is the slant board. It uses gravity inversion, to not only relieve the pressure of weight and gravity, but help to reverse it. You simply lay back on a 6 foot board, put your feet in the holders, then flip upside down. (see photo) It takes a minutes of hanging upside down to stretch the muscles, and realign your vertebrata. You can hear the discs popping back in place. The reverse pressure of your own body weight isn't enough to hurt you.

This is called inversion therapy. Inversion therapy is the fastest and most effective method to increase the space between your vertebrae. Successfully increasing the area between the discs. is known as "spinal decompression." There are doctors that can do this on you using a mechanical table - that literally stretches you out from end to end. I'd rather hang upside down by myself thank you

The second thing that helps alleiviate my pain, is a big rubber ball. You know those balls in the big cage located in the toy section of Wallmart? They are like oversized kickballs, a little smaller(and way cheaper) than your standard exersize ball. I put the ball on the floor. I sit on it, then I lean back as far as I can on the ball, and slowly roll my arched spine over the ball. It takes a little balance at first. I found holding a 5 pound weight in each hand to steady yourself, keeps you from rolling off the ball so much. I just lean on each problem section of my back for a minute or 90 seconds, and I feel instant relief. The ball is literally 2 bucks at Target. I tried tennis balls once. That actually hurt more! This big rubber ball provided the perfect amount of arch to really stretch those pesky back muscles.

Whatever works! My uncle would say generic things like that. But whatever makes your back feel better, than doesn't jeopardize your health, do that thing!

Peace & Health To Everybody in 2012!!