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Posture for a Healthy Back

my.clevelandclinic.org

51–60 of 99 posts

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#51
For those who have to sit, I'd recommend http://www.amazon.com/Original-McKenzie-Lumbar-Roll-Standard... (which was recommended by my Dr. and physical therapist after I bulged a disc trying to He-Man a kids playground up onto a truck bed)

I carry mine between my desk and car. Makes a big difference in how long I can drive

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#52
post #32

This is a very insufficient article. Almost useless. It doesn't mention anything about hip and sacral alignment, which is absolutely critical to having correct posture. Unfortunately, sitting in a chair, as well as various other modern activities, completely messes up not only the alignment of the hip and sacrum, but conditions the soft tissue in those areas to hold a bad position. That's why it's so hard to have goo…

What really confused me was the following tip: Try to avoid sitting in the same position for more than 30 minutes. So is there a correct sitting position? Or is the correct sitting position "sitting differently" every 30 minutes? Those are two mutually exclusive things.

> Or is the correct sitting position "sitting differently" every 30 minutes?

Actually, yes. No sitting posture is one the body should be holding for extended time. We are supposed to move.

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#53
If you really want to go further than just healing basic ailments, check out eastern forms of energy cultivation.

The evidence is finally starting to accumulate in the west for why this cultural phenomenon has somehow stuck around for thousands of years, exciting!: http://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2008/05/tai-chi-master...

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#54
post #48
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hear lots of discussion that deadlifting with proper form strengthens the core. Also, being a compound lift, you'll hit tons of other muscle groups as well. Mark rippetoe's book on starting strength is a great read on how to execute compound barbell exercises like the deadlift, and also has some great information on things like progressive overload. I'd recommend it even if you don't plan on following the starting…

The same can be said about the squat, since you have to contract your core to maintain your spine in a correct position. Anecdotal data point: my lower back pain disappears when I squat regularly.

anecdotal counterpoint :) -- squatting aggrevates my lower back. I think its because my hamstring flexibility is terrible which causes my squat form to be terrible. I'm working on that.

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#55
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What about a solution like this: [1] [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKrVByT6pq8&t=14

The Varidesk is a very nice (and relatively cheap) solution. It's also surprisingly easy to adjust the height despite the weight. My only complaint is that you still need to put your monitors on a stand to get them high enough (for me at least).

Also check out the new IKEA BEKANT sit-stand desk.

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for saying this - another reminder to do more core (got down and planked). What exercises did you find most beneficial for strengthening? On a related note -- I periodically do stretches where I stand on one leg and roll my hip & waist out to the side extending it behind me -- that helps alleviate tension in the side. Similar - hanging on my forearms from chairs or those ab machines at the gym. Pain Free (a me…

I started using row machines at the gym for this exact reason. It's a really low impact workout but provides great cardio and involves your entire body.

Please be very careful with rowing machines. If your vertebral discs are herniated you have a very high risk of making things much worse. (As told to me by my physical therapist and surgeons...)

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#57

Went to the physio with RSI and she recommended I take up swimming. Totally worked.

Effectiveness aside, how skeptical were you when you heard that? It's easy to hear these explanations in hindsight, but I bet at the time you'd be, like, "What kind of advice is that? Are you just using a medical-grade magic 8 ball? 'Swim more'? "

No one knows what causes RSI. There are lots of anecdotal stories for different cures.

http://thespanishsite.com/public_html/org/ergo/rsi.html

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#58
post #48
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I hear lots of discussion that deadlifting with proper form strengthens the core. Also, being a compound lift, you'll hit tons of other muscle groups as well. Mark rippetoe's book on starting strength is a great read on how to execute compound barbell exercises like the deadlift, and also has some great information on things like progressive overload. I'd recommend it even if you don't plan on following the starting…

The same can be said about the squat, since you have to contract your core to maintain your spine in a correct position. Anecdotal data point: my lower back pain disappears when I squat regularly.

I've been lifting for a few years now and I really dislike the cargo cult mentality when it comes to heavy lifts, mainly barbell deadlift and squats. If you're not trying to become an olympic lifter, barbell squats and deadlifts will do more harm than good. There is a significant chance of injury if you perform these lifts improperly, and it's hard to know when you're doing them right. There are good alternatives to each (goblet/dumbbell split squats) which are safer.

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#59

Something people underestimate (I think) is that having a correct posture requires having strong enough support muscles so that you can maintain said posture without getting tired, or even thinking about it. By far the biggest benefit of going to the gym has been that my core muscles got stronger, which in turn has cured all back pains I had.

Thanks for saying this - another reminder to do more core (got down and planked). What exercises did you find most beneficial for strengthening? On a related note -- I periodically do stretches where I stand on one leg and roll my hip & waist out to the side extending it behind me -- that helps alleviate tension in the side. Similar - hanging on my forearms from chairs or those ab machines at the gym. Pain Free (a me…

For a very simple, basic routine that is probably only useful to someone (like me) who has done nothing for a long time, try something like in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCMNMHBY1Dk

I did the exercises facing the wall rather than crushing myself on the floor; the primary benefit was in awakening a few back muscles enough so that I would feel the soreness if I was sitting incorrectly.

Re: Posture for a Healthy Back

#60

Something people underestimate (I think) is that having a correct posture requires having strong enough support muscles so that you can maintain said posture without getting tired, or even thinking about it. By far the biggest benefit of going to the gym has been that my core muscles got stronger, which in turn has cured all back pains I had.

Thanks for saying this - another reminder to do more core (got down and planked). What exercises did you find most beneficial for strengthening? On a related note -- I periodically do stretches where I stand on one leg and roll my hip & waist out to the side extending it behind me -- that helps alleviate tension in the side. Similar - hanging on my forearms from chairs or those ab machines at the gym. Pain Free (a me…

The deadlift will get you the most results for the amount of time you put in. It directly strengthens all the muscles involved in keeping you upright and in a normal anatomical position. A barbell and plates will put you back about $250-$300. Then, if you spend 20 minutes every Monday, Wednesday, & Friday deadlifting and just increase the weight on the bar by 5-10 pounds each workout, you'll be a totally different (better, stronger) person in about 2 months.
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