You are not alone. According to the National Library of Medicine, Lower Back Pain effects roughly 13% of Irish people and it is estimated that about a quarter of a million Irish people are effected by some kind of Back Pain. This blog post delves into this issue and discusses ways to alleviate any Back Pain you may be dealing with.
Illustration by Alexandra Gordon, Verywell
1. What causes back pain?
The cause of Back Pain is most commonly linked to a muscle or ligament strain. Repeated heavy lifting or a sudden awkward movement can strain the back muscles and spinal ligaments causing the individual to feel pain or discomfort in their back. Furthermore, if the individual is in poor physical condition, constant strain on their back can lead to painful muscle spasms.
Why not check out this article by Dr. Kieran O'Sullivan from University of Limerick's School of Allied Health to learn more about back pain: UL Study on Back Pain
2. The consequences of having back pain
Back Pain can be an uncomfortable experience for the individual although many suffering individuals are unaware of the magnitude of their problem. According to TheJournal.ie there are as many as 250, 000 people in Ireland suffering with nerve-related back pain. The Irish mentality of ‘Ah it will be grand’ means that many of those suffering do not seek medical assistance for their condition believing that it is not serious enough to warrant any treatment.
3. How to alleviate the pain or even remove it
Work on Achieving Good Posture
Ensure that you get Enough Sleep
Sleep on a Good Mattress
Have a Good Office Chair
Visit a Physiotherapist
Avoid Lifting Heavy Objects
Place a Heat Pad on your Back
Another method is Chair Yoga. Chair Yoga, like regular yoga, involves a series of postures that emphasize breathing techniques except while sitting on a chair. The postures teach you to stretch and strengthen your muscles, which helps reduce muscle tension, build flexibility and strength, improve balance and bone strength.
If you’re dealing with back pain, Chair Yoga may be just what the doctor ordered. Chair Yoga is a mind-body therapy that is often recommended to treat not only back pain but the stress that accompanies it. The appropriate poses with the support of the chair can relax and strengthen your body, and particularly support the back and spine, such as the paraspinal muscles that help bend your spine, the multifidus muscles that stabilize your vertebrae, and the transverse abdominis in the abdomen, which also helps stabilize the spine.
Why not check out this article to learn more about the benefits of yoga for Back Pain: Study completed by Harvard.
Illustration by Alexandra Gordon, Verywell
4. Chair Yoga as a great alternative
While Chair Yoga can not stop severe Back Pain, adapting Chair Yoga into your daily routine can help you improve any Back Pain you may be suffering from. Like Meditation, Chair Yoga is a great way to relax the mind and body while also stretching the body without pushing it too much.
5. Why Chair Yoga ?
Chair Yoga is a great way to take a breather. From sitting at your desk in your office job or taking a study break, Chair Yoga is a great way to both stretch your body and relax your mind. Chair Yoga is also an amazing way to exercise for the elderly or wheelchair users as the routine is completed while sitting and focusing on stretching the upper body.
To try Chair Yoga, you should use your muscles to first create a solid foundation for movement and then follow proper form that slowly lengthens and stretches your body. This careful movement will activate your core muscles and lengthen your spine.
Check out our Chair Yoga video below!
6. Our Membership Packages
If you are interested in trying out Chair Yoga, you can access our packages via our website at https://www.flowithme.com/plans-pricing or contact Sara at sara@flowithme.com. Flowithme can assist you with a routine to help improve any back pain you may be experiencing. Please contact us with any queries you may have.
Why not start Chair Yoga Today?
PS: Before doing any Chair Yoga practice, always consult with your doctor to ensure that this is suitable for you.
References
- Munigangaiah, S., (2015). 'Do "Myths" of low back pain exist among Irish population? A cross-sectional study', PubMed.gov.
- The Journal.ie, (2012). 'Quarter of a million Irish fail to seek help for debilitating back pain - survey'.