Our lives are full of compromises and trade-offs. Modern humans can walk upright, and many researchers have linked this ability with increased brain size. As well, this posture allows our hands to be free for carrying objects and manipulating tools, increases our height, and is less energy-intensive. Unfortunately, walking upright puts increased pressure on the spine, and this can lead to back pain. Add to that our propensity to exercise hard and neglect workout recovery, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Here’s are some tips for dealing with your back pain.
(more…)Posts Tagged ‘spine’
Telling Back Pain to Back Off
Wednesday, September 29th, 2021Can Chiropractic Help You Relieve Stress?
Thursday, April 26th, 2018Many people don’t consider going to the chiropractor unless they’ve got a neck or back pain. But this type of treatment can do so much more than relieving the acute or chronic pains. Even though its focus is on spine manipulation since this is a holistic approach, it means that everything in our body is connected, so treating one area can actually benefit some other.
As you’re guessing, the answer to the question from the title is you bet. Now you may be wondering how and why, so here are a few brief explanations on how chiropractic actually works to relieve stress and why you should go and see a certified chiropractor if you’re combating stress and can’t find a truly effective way to reduce it. (more…)
Health Tips For Strengthening Your Spine
Tuesday, January 30th, 2018The spine is one of the most vital components of the entire body. Spinal problems can be incredibly serious. If something goes wrong and you wind up injured, you might be paralyzed. Strengthening the spine might not eliminate the risks, but it can definitely help to minimize them.
So, what can you do to strengthen your spine? The answers are plentiful. Within this guide, you will find tips for strengthening your spine.
How to Perform the Pallof Press
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015The problem with most rotational movements is that they produce shearing forces on your lumbar spine. One of the foundations of biomechanics is that you don’t place your spine into a simultaneous state of rotation, flexion, and side bending, and you especially don’t add an external load.
This eliminates a number of popular abdominal exercises such as dumbbell side bends and the twisting abdominal machine. Exercises like the Russian twist should be performed with care, making sure that the trunk is flexed rather than the spine.
There is a quick and easy solution to the inherent problems with twisting exercises – don’t twist.
Enter: The Pallof Press!
3 More Back Training Mistakes
Monday, July 18th, 2011I am not going to get into a long detailed post today. Instead I am going to supplement my top 6 back training mistakes post with another guest post about back training by expert Mike Robertson. I’m not cool enough to get Mike to post on my website though, so I have to link to the post from another blog entirely.
Find it here: 3 back training mistakes you could be making.
Mike tells you how people go wrong by training without a neutral spine, without a neutral pelvis, and without paying attention to detail. This is just another example of how every aspect of your physiology has to be healthy and aligned, or you risk injury.
About Mike Robertson
Mike Robertson received his Masters Degree in Sports Biomechanics from the world-renowned Human Performance Lab at Ball State University. He is also the president of Robertson Training Systems and the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training, which has been named one of America’s Top 10 Gyms by Men’s Health magazine in 2009 and 2010.
About Rick Kaselj
Since the guest post is actually posted on his site, this is a lead in to another awesome fitness blogger, a guy named Rick Kaselj who is an expert on sports injuries. Hopefully he will write a couple guest posts for Project Swole soon. I’ve requested some serious rehab / prehab articles and I know if he can find the time to write them, you will be amazed.