Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

news.ycombinator.com

11–17 of 17 posts

Re: Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

#11
Visiting a chiropracter for back pain might help. Do not let them crack your neck (increases risk of stroke) and I wouldn't let them crack my spine (it's my freaking spine) and you might want to ignore all the woo. But it's a nice back rub and some stretching.

Good chairs help. There's a thing called backmate (http://www.backmate.co.uk) which is cheap and useful if you don't have control over your choice of chair.

I haven't tried it but lots of people recommend Alexander technique.

Re: Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

#12
post #9

Obvious question is obvious, but may also be helpful: have you seen a competent psychotherapist? If the tension is indeed psychosomatic, then treating the psychological cause may be the way to go. Other things that would be worth investigating: Alexander Technique, Pilates (yes, seriously. What you're describing could be breathing-related in particular, and Pilates is good at that stuff. Go for a teacher accredited b…

Tried a few of the techniques you mentioned, as well as therapy, but I'll check out the other ones. Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

#15
I had some pretty unpleasant residual tension in my pyriformis after a pinched nerve, and learned a few ways to deal with it.

1) Epsom salt hot water soaks. Gets the job done.

2) Sit, lie, stand, whatever, with a tennis ball or lacrosse ball under the sore spot. The more it hurts the better it feels. You'll feel the muscle spasm then release when you get it just right. It takes about 5 minutes.

3) The spot that hurts might not be the spot that's hurting. Referred pain is difficult to treat sometimes. With pain in your middle back, it could be caused by anything from your jaw, to your neck, to your shoulder, to your back. Pain tends to move downwards and inwards. Stretch (and strengthen) your neck, make sure you don't slump your head forwards, and triple check the ergonomics of your workstation.

4) I'm not a big believer in the term 'psychosomatic' because it sounds too much like 'all in your head.' Look for times when you're stressed, and run a quick check through your body for tension. If you find it, flex the tight muscles for a few seconds and release.

If you find yourself tense often, and I truly mean this in a respectful way, you have to deal with some important parts of your life. Persistent pain can be your body's way of telling you to address something.

Re: Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

#16
post #15

I had some pretty unpleasant residual tension in my pyriformis after a pinched nerve, and learned a few ways to deal with it. 1) Epsom salt hot water soaks. Gets the job done. 2) Sit, lie, stand, whatever, with a tennis ball or lacrosse ball under the sore spot. The more it hurts the better it feels. You'll feel the muscle spasm then release when you get it just right. It takes about 5 minutes. 3) The spot that hurts…

Oh, and, if it's diagnosed as nerve related pain, accept now that it might hurt for a year or more. Don't rush it, don't give into it, and don't ignore it.

Depending on the severity of your injury, you could have significant pain. I couldn't walk for months, and part of the recovery was being able to walk from bedroom to bedroom, because I ignored it. I hope yours isn't that bad, but, definitely get it treated.

Re: Ask HN: How to relieve psychosomatic back tension?

#17
post #15

I had some pretty unpleasant residual tension in my pyriformis after a pinched nerve, and learned a few ways to deal with it. 1) Epsom salt hot water soaks. Gets the job done. 2) Sit, lie, stand, whatever, with a tennis ball or lacrosse ball under the sore spot. The more it hurts the better it feels. You'll feel the muscle spasm then release when you get it just right. It takes about 5 minutes. 3) The spot that hurts…

ok, last one here.

Check your mattress as well. It's something people overlook sometimes. They wear out, sometimes you don't know until your back starts to hurt.

Post reply on HN