Pain…a call to action!
Pain has a real and effective purpose and that is to alert you that something in your body is out of balance. In the absence of injury, it is a call to action and an invitation to learn how your body works. Even more important, it is a reminder to take good care of yourself. Ultimately the greatest tool you have for healing and preventing pain is self-care.
Why you have pain
Most back and neck pain is mechanical in origin and results from poor posture and body mechanics. Body mechanics refers to the way we move during everyday activities. Healthy body mechanics can go a long way in preventing musculoskeletal injuries and are an essential part of the healing process.
What needs to be addressed to heal your pain
The human body is an incredible, intelligent creation, and unless you are a healthcare professional, you probably were not taught how the body works. Let's talk about the system responsible for healing and causing your pain.
The musculoskeletal system comprises the body's bones (the skeleton), muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints, and other connective tissue that supports and binds tissues and organs together. Its primary functions include supporting the body, allowing motion, and protecting vital organs.
The musculoskeletal system works optimally when in balance; in its purest form, we call that anatomic alignment or good posture. Good posture is about more than standing up straight so you can look your best. It is an essential part of your long-term health. Ensuring that you hold your body the right way, whether you are moving or still, can prevent pain, injuries, and other health issues.
Beginning to heal and prevent your pain
At the heart of having good body mechanics is understanding and practicing proper posture.
How can poor posture affect your health?
Slouching or slumping over can:
Wear away at your spine, making it more fragile and prone to injury
Cause neck, shoulder, and back pain
Affect how well your joints move
Make it harder to digest your food
Make it harder to breathe
What is posture?
Posture is how you hold your body. There are two types:
Static posture - how you hold yourself when you are not moving (sitting, standing, or sleeping.)
Dynamic posture - how you hold yourself when you are moving (walking, running, or bending over to pick up something.)
How can I have good posture?
Think of your posture as the structure of a strong building. Structurally sound buildings sit on solid foundations and are built from the ground up. Your goal is to make strong posture feel like second nature.
Feet: Plant your feet solidly and find the place where you feel evenly balanced between your toes and your heels.
Knees: Put a gentle spring in your knees and in other words, keep them unlocked.
Pelvis: Tuck your tailbone slightly under while you are tightening your abdominal muscles. Focus on your lower abdominal muscles (the ones below your belly button). Think of pulling your belly button towards your back.
Front Ribs: Lift the front of your ribcage up off of your stomach.
Head: Glide your head gently back so that your ears are over your shoulders and your chin is level with the ground.This will happen quite naturally when the foundation in is good position.
At first, you will want to practice this movement in front of the mirror. When you are comfortable there, you can begin to move away from the mirror and practice throughout your daily activities.
The goal is to keep your spine in its normal and anatomic alignment. This movement combined with core stability and strength becomes the foundation of all of your activities: sitting, standing, lifting, and carrying.
I wrote a little book called Hello my Name is Pain. The point of this title was to help people understand that musculoskeletal pain is most often a call to action. Pain is letting you know your body is working in an unbalanced and risky manner. I invite you to listen to your pain, address your body mechanics, and take action against living a life in pain.
