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Spine Is Life

One of the most common experiences among all human beings irrespective of age, gender and race is “Lower back ache”. Lower back is one of the most expressive regions of our body that many of the body’s symptoms surface in this region. Starting from mechanical loading because of prolonged sitting, pregnancy, wrong lifting of weight, long drives, strenuous kitchen work etc in all the above mentioned activities the commonly strained part of the body is the back. Why is this so?.

The main reason why low back is at risk always is that the lumbar spine possess the most freedom of mobility compared to any other part of the spine and is also the centre of gravity of the entire body lies close to the S1 level of spine. Hence the lower back acts as the “Pivot” of the entire body. Any movement in the extremities would always get its anchor point from the lumbar spine.

Hence the lower back is one point in the body which is mostly used in movement and force generation. But just because so much stress and strain traverses the lumbar spine doesn’t mean it is naturally weak. Nature has given a huge group of muscle which work in combination to support the lumbar spine and hence makes it the only part of the body which has enormous support systems.

This group of muscles is called the “Core Muscles” otherwise labeled the “Natural Corset”. They include superficial and deep core muscles. They are actually the muscles which cover the front part of the abdomen (Abdominals), the low back extensors and the side trunk muscles.

For a healthy low back 3 things are essential for these core muscles. Movement (in the form of exercise), Flexibility (in the form of stretches or Yogasanas) and Strength (in the form of resistance training). Sitting professionals should take regular breaks from sitting and indulge in some good stretches which just requires a space beside your table. Maintaining any posture for a prolonged period of time puts the “Disc” at risk, hence change of posture is very much essential for any professionals.

I would vote for the yogic principle saying “Spine is Life” because low Back acts as a pivot as I said, and any discomfort which is not dealt with would eventually not allow the person to be comfortable in any activities. Kill the pain before it kills your health. Start exercising now because exercise is a medicine and exercising is an attitude. Let that be our Prime Attitude.

Last modified on Monday, 02 March 2015 13:14

Dr.Gladson Johnson

Dr.Gladson Johnson is a practicing Sports Physiotherapist by profession for the past 16 years and a passionate bare foot runner for the past 10 years. He is the founder of Attitude Prime an organization which caters to Sports Injuries and Lifestyle Management through “Exercises” . Dr.Gladson Johnson believes that “Exercise Is Medicine