When I see people dealing with nagging aches and pains – often times lower back pain – I often think of the definition of insanity: doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results.
Keep in mind that MOST cases of lower back pain are caused by doing something repetitive in nature or keeping yourself in a bad posture position for an expended period of time.
So take the case of a typical “desk job” person.
They sit in a rounded posture position for 8-10 hours a day at work, not incorporating much movement into their work day. Eventually they start to experience lower back pain or tightness, or even pain that runs down one of their legs. It gradually gets worse until they can barely function, and then they schedule some sessions at the local chiropractor. Through a series of adjustments, they feel better again and go about their normal routine. Unfortunately, their normal routine consists of lots of sitting with improper posture and a lack of movement,
Sure enough, weeks later (or maybe months later if they are younger or more fit) they start to experience the same nagging pains as they did before. This time they are a little bit worse and they debate over going to see a chiropractor or an orthopedic doctor. They might even get an MRI done that tells them that their back “has issues” and they start to worry that maybe they need to get something done more drastic than an adjustment or two. They start thinking: “Am I so screwed up that I need surgery”?
I have seen people go through these cycles multiple times, going back to the same daily habits that were the root cause of the issue in the first place. Basically life turns into a series of bouts of lower back pain and “fixes”, without ever really getting healthy. The fact that there are now membership based chiropractor franchises popping up around the country tells us that we have truly lost our way in terms of incorporating movement and exercise into our lives. We have let modern life take over our health by creating a sedentary environment in which we live.
The bottom-line of my rant today is that engaging in a core-based fitness program at Thrive Fitness COMBINED with a life environment that includes frequent movement and an awareness of proper posture is a much better solution to maintain a healthy lower back.
The exercises that we prescribe at Thrive Fitness will make your core stronger and more stable, so that injury and pain is less likely. With consistency and proper coaching, I am confident that almost everyone can cure their lower back pain.
I urge people to break out of their current cycle of mistreating their core/back, patching the issue, and repeating the lifestyle over and over again. Invest in your health and fitness with Thrive Fitness – it can be life-changing.