One of the reasons so many of us suffer from back pain is poor posture.
Sitting with a hunched back and drooping shoulders can make the muscles in the lower back weak. Also the way we stand, walk and even sleep can cause back pain. Hence we need to make a conscious effort to improve our posture by avoiding sitting slumped in chairs and reminding ourselves to walk with a straight back.
If you have an office or sedentary job make sure you sit on a chair that supports your back and lets you sit with your feet touching the ground. Get up once every hour or two and take a walk. This will help release tension in the back, stretch the muscles in the legs and relax your eyes. Practice some chair yoga during your working day to help alleviate back pain and let you work comfortably. Take time out for brief meditation and focusing on deep breathing to calm your mind, stay focused and enhance your productivity.
Aside from being more aware of our posture, yoga and stretching, swimming and regular walking also help in relieving the back pain. Swimming strengthens the entire back, especially when practicing backstroke and front crawl.
Walking is also one of the best exercises to strengthen our lower backs but remember to focus on walking with a straight posture.
Another major contribution to the increasing problems our society is having with back pain is obesity. Being over weight increases the pressure on the lower back and leads to a higher risk of lower back injury.
Eating a healthy diet eating In addition, adopting a less sedentary lifestyle along with regular practice of yoga can help alleviate lower back pain.
While these yoga postures are highly beneficial, people
suffering from any back injury or slip disc, are advised to consult their physician before practicing any of these yoga poses or other physical exercises.
suffering from any back injury or slip disc, are advised to consult their physician before practicing any of these yoga poses or other physical exercises.
Elisa’s timetable for her West London yoga classes can be found here public-yoga-classes
Note: While these yoga postures are highly beneficial, people suffering from any back injury or slip disc, are advised to consult their doctor before practicing any of these yoga poses or other physical exercises.