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I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

chrishugh.blogspot.com

11–20 of 41 posts

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#11
post #9
post #8

"The Masai, most Brazilians, gymnasts (but only when they're actually doing exercises) and anyone who carries rocks on their heads for a living, have an upright posture." Somebody would give a shot at explaining why (most) Brazilians were singled-out in this example?

Apparently we carry rocks on our heads for a living?

All that capoeira and streetfighting too. Must be hard to do with a pile of rocks on your head.

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#12

A third option is leaning back in your chair. I find that I never get tired of sitting in this position.

Yeah, but you have to curve your neck forward, which seems to cause it to bear the weight of your head on a curved portion of the spine rather than a stacked one.

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#13
The trouble with advice like this:

  Stick your butt out [...] Stick out your chest
  and fill up your lungs. Now tuck in your chin [...]
is that people interpret it to mean they should apply force to correct their habitual posture, which is like trying to bend something rigid back into place: it compounds the problem. Of course it's hard and often painful to do this, so we almost never keep it up (barring some sort of military regimen), which is probably a good thing.

What's really needed are ways to undo the rigidity. No doubt there are a variety of these. The most effective I've found is the Alexander Technique, an early 20th century form of bodywork that remains modestly widespread, i.e. it's not that popular but you can find teachers in most major cities. It's a curious, very gentle and non-invasive practice that is somewhat counterintuitive but in the hands of a good teacher (I tried three, only one of whom was good) delivers lasting results. I recommend it to anyone who likes to explore this kind of thing.

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#15
For those interested, there's a book on this topic that is excellent and provides 8 postures improvements (complete with pictures) that will help keep pain away. http://www.amazon.com/Steps-Pain-Free-Back-Solutions-Shoulde... - there's also an Authors@Google talk by the author on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yYJ4hEYudE) if you want a taste before buying the book.

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#16
This article is not specific enough. I highly recommend finding an Alexander Technique instructor in your area. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_technique

A good book I've read on the Alexander Technique is How You Stand, How You Move, How You Live by Missy Vineyard. http://www.amazon.com/How-You-Stand-Move-Live/dp/1600940064

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#19

A third option is leaning back in your chair. I find that I never get tired of sitting in this position.

How old are you? I'm curious because I used to be like that. Now, my back hurts if I am anything but sitting upright or laying flat.

Re: I'll Tell You What is Causing Pain for Almost Everyone in the Western World

#20
post #8

"The Masai, most Brazilians, gymnasts (but only when they're actually doing exercises) and anyone who carries rocks on their heads for a living, have an upright posture." Somebody would give a shot at explaining why (most) Brazilians were singled-out in this example?

Somebody would give a shot at explaining why (most) Brazilians were singled-out in this example?

Most people who don't live in a sedentary society probably still have good posture and maintain their natural skeletal alignment. I don't know if this applies to all of Brazil.

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