Posts Tagged ‘position’

Bad Backs - 10 Tips to Better Back Health

March 10th, 2012

Does your back ache after a long day at work? If so, you aren’t alone in your misery. Back injuries account for 1 out of 5 workplace injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While it is possible to injure your back by lifting incorrectly, carrying heavy boxes or turning the wrong way, more often back injuries develop slowly. The most common cause of a bad back is related to how the bones are aligned (your posture), which in turn directly affects the health of the ligaments, and muscle tone, promoting balanced strength and flexibility.

The following tips will help you improve your posture and decrease muscle fatigue to keep you on your feet and ready for dancing!

Tip #1

Stand in efficient alignment. From the side view, the middle of the ear should line up with the middle of the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle. The bones of the skeleton were designed to carry the weight of the body while the muscles create movement. In poor alignment the muscles are asked to overwork, resulting in fatigue and strain. Visualize your head and spine as a helium balloon tied with a string as you are standing and walking. Let it pull you into an upright position. » Read more: Bad Backs - 10 Tips to Better Back Health

Yoga and the Spine

March 3rd, 2012

The Sanskrit word for the spine in yoga is “Brahma Danda”, which can be literally translated into “the walking stick of the lord”. This implies that it is as essential for the body as a walking stick can be. A fit, strong and well aligned spine is crucial in leading a healthy and pain free life, therefore there are a number of yoga asanas that are specifically targeted to improve and maintain the health and wellbeing of the back and spine of the yogi. These asanas assist in strengthening as well as increasing flexibility of the entire spinal column in order to eliminate any back related health issues that already exist or might arise.

The spinal column is divided in three major portions which consist of the Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar areas. All three bear the stress induced by the body but in different ways. The cervical part consists of the seven vertebrae » Read more: Yoga and the Spine

Enhance Spine Health With Simple, Everyday Easy Ergonomics

February 19th, 2012

If you are putting in more than eight hours of work in your desk bound job for more than a year now, and seldom take work breaks in between, you have probably developed muscle aches and pain on your neck, shoulders, and throughout your back. To enhance your spine health, you need consciously have a good mix of exercise and good sitting habits.

You body will hint to you when you need to begin taking note of the way your sit, the way you slouch in your seat, the type of heels you wear, and literally the lifestyle you lead. Body aches in different parts of the body like neck, shoulders, arms, legs and back can develop from overtime work, bad sitting habits, lack of exercise, and especially a lifestyle of decadence. In fact, even simple lifestyle changes like a new work desk or chair, a new car or a new sofa could literally give you bad body aches. » Read more: Enhance Spine Health With Simple, Everyday Easy Ergonomics