My daughter just recently turned 21, and if I tell you that 21 years went by in a flash, it would be an understatement. I had always envisioned being with her on this momentous birthday, taking her and her friends out to a nice dinner, and then cover a bar tab that would commensurate with turning 21 years old. However, due to the current pandemic being with her just wasn't in the cards. So we were left to creating ways to celebrate her birthday remotely. We sent cupcakes and small gift items; however, I knew I wanted to do something else for her birthday.
A frequent comment or question I hear often is - once you go to a chiropractor, do you have to go for regular checkups and should you go for the rest of your life? This question always makes me smile. My philosophy is to see patients as little as possible, with patients maintaining results as long as possible. This philosophy is exactly why I created the Backbridge. This simple product allows my patients to maintain spine health at home. Many chiropractic and physical therapy patients don't need to see a chiropractor every week or see a physical therapist everyday, but taking care of your spinal health should be part of your daily routine.
The question, should I see a chiropractor for life, always starts a great discussion; do you feel the same way about going to the dentist? Or how about going to the gym or eating healthy foods? Should we only do these things once? Absolutely not! Preventative care is critical; we should be taking care of our teeth daily and our bodies daily. Checkups by respective doctors should happen each year, and more frequently, if needed, to help maintain healthy bodies – and teeth!
Taking care of your body and health is a life-long pursuit, and chiropractic care can be an integral part of your overall mission to health. I am a strong believer in preventative medicine and being proactive for my own health. I don't wait until I have a severe toothache to go to the dentist. I set up periodic checkups to make sure that all is ok with my teeth and gums. We need to take this same approach when it comes to our spine and spinal health.
Our spines, and the health of our spines, impact every nerve, muscle, organ, and bone in our entire body. Simple daily spinal decompression and use of the Backbridge at home for two minutes, two times a day, is as simple as brushing your teeth! I urge you to look at your spinal health and make taking care of your spine, like you do your teeth, a priority.
Your body will thank you for it.
The quadratus lumborum muscle, known as the QL, is an important lower back muscle that connects your spine to your pelvis. Pain in the QL can be due to overuse, stress, and strain because muscles cause pain and stiffness when they're weak or too tight. Activities such as sitting for long periods of time can reduce blood flow to an area, especially in the QL and surrounding areas.
Everyone has healthy bacteria in their gut, but it can become out of balance, with the "bad" bacteria taking over. Things like stress, illness, and antibiotics can disrupt the levels of good bacteria. The bacterial balance (called your microbiome) in our intestines is a pivotal factor in our wellness. Our guts are responsible for producing most serotonin, a primary feel-good chemical needed for emotional wellbeing. The link between wellness and our intestines is irrefutable for physical and emotional health.
Knee stretches are essential to your back health but get overlooked time and time again. First, always consult with your doctor to ensure that your pain is not stemming from an injury before undertaking any new stretching routine. Knee stretches are quite simple and comprehensive. Your knee combines and connects your upper and lower leg and is supported by many muscle groups. It is important to stretch out all of these muscle groups. Using the Backbridge can help you alter the stretches' intensity by using different levels of the Backbridge. These stretches are great for all ages as long as you always listen to your body and don’t overstretch. This knee stretch routine can be done in about 2 minutes (30 seconds ) per muscle group. My book, The Ultimate Backbridge Stretch Book, details many stretches while using the Backbridge, for all body parts.
UPPER LEG
While doing my research for my book, Sit-Ups Are Stupid & Crunches Are Crap, I was blown away at how important it is for people to get a flat stomach, and not just for looks! The New England Journal of Medicine published a study of 360,000 Europeans in November 2008 stating that people with the most belly fat have twice the risk of premature death! Other than drinking and smoking, belly size is the largest indicator or premature death. Additional studies reveal that belly size is the leading predictor of heart disease, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes. Large bellies also raise the risk of dementia by three times.
Previously, I explained how a Backbridge could help you relieve pain caused not only by forward hunching, but also aging, exercise (like sit-ups), and daily life stressors. You may see your chiropractor or physical therapist a few times a month. For a fraction of the time and cost of a chiropractor or physical therapist visit, you can use the Backbridge to get back pain relief at home, increase flexibility, and sustain back health. I believe it is important to complement treatment from medical practitioners with regular and routine stretching to help reduce soreness and tightness, and increase flexibility.
Who do you think has more back pain and worse posture: The farmer, who spends his day plowing a field and shoveling manure, or the office worker, who works at a desk for eight hours a day? The answer - most likely, the office worker.
Both patients and doctors might assume the source of your pain is where your back hurts. For example, if you are suffering from lower back pain, you and your doctor might think the pain is coming from your lower back. However, there are many overlooked causes of back pain, and I am here to show you how to fix these!
As discussed in my previous posts, structural, emotional, and digestive/nutritional causes can lead to back pain. Getting to the root cause of your back pain is critical to eliminating it. Have you ever considered that your sleeping position may be contributing to that pain in your back or neck? Certain sleep positions can place unnecessary pressure on the neck, hips, and back, which results in not only stiffness but also back pain. To alleviate the pain and stay limber, your morning routine should include regular stretches, including the Backbridge Extension, and you should utilize proper sleep position.
