This is a brand new blog about keeping moving when the pain sets in. Don’t fall into a wheelchair if you can possibly help it. I’ll be sharing ideas about how to handle pain from arthritis, some things I’ve done to stay upright and walking with severe spinal stenosis. We all need to help each other stay away from the knife and drugs. Stay tuned for my story.
Hi Betsy, this is a wonderful blog, full of helpful and down to earth information. I’m going to take time to read your posts on weight gain and arthritis
Thank you.
Susan
Susan, I’d love to hear your comments when you have time to read. Be well! Betsy
– Hi there I just recently came acorss your blog. I love your work and was wondering what kind of camera you used. Your photos are beautiful. I am a novice and am just now ready to make the move to a DSLR.
Camera is just a cheap Canon, Power Shot A1200 or my Android HTC phone. Good luck.
Jim Johnson stopped lonkoig for causes of chronic back pain after researching the studies on the subject. Scientific studies don’t support the common theories about what causes chronic back pain. Many people without pain live happily not knowing that they have back conditions usually treated with surgery. Johnson also found that people with pain usually have weakened multifidus muscles. Those without pain usually don’t. So, instead of lonkoig for causes, Johnson recommends that patients initially work to strengthen their multifidus muscles. These muscles weave around your spine from your neck to your low back. Their location on your spine indicates their importance to your back health. Johnson describes three different exercises that target the multifidus. He lets the reader choose the one that they prefer to do. Most physical therapists recommend multiple exercises for chronic back pain. That shotgun approach can be effective if followed. But patient compliance drops as programs get more complex. Johnson’s program requires performing only one exercise. Yet most of his patients improve or completely relieve their chronic back pain without any other treatment. Johnson says most patients notice improvements within two weeks. If you don’t improve within three months, try something else. He also acknowledges that his program is for chronic back pain: continuous or intermittent pain lasting for months. For acute pain, time heals better than any exercise program. The book illustrates the exercises he recommends. Here is a basic description of them: Johnson most highly recommends the bird-dog or opposite arm/leg extension. Start in an all-fours position on the floor. Raise one leg straight back and hold it up for a second, then lower. Alternate with the other leg. Work up to 20 repetitions with each leg or about two minutes of repetitions. Every other day or three times a week is enough. When that movement becomes easy, go to the next level by extending the opposite arm straight out while extending each leg. When that becomes easy, the final level is to add light weights to each arm and leg, depending upon your tolerance. Once you build up your strength, perform the exercise once a week to maintain it. You will find this exercise in many exercise books and on many websites. Alas, don’t be alarmed that they all prescribe different hold times, number of repetitions, and other adjustments. Johnson explains why the pattern he describes should work fine for you. The second exercise is commonly known as the prone or facedown extension. Lie on your stomach. Lift one leg straight up about 6 inches and hold for a second. Lower and repeat with the other leg. Work up to the same frequency and number of repetitions as the first exercise. When the exercise becomes easy, add light weights. Do this exercise if you can’t do the first one. The third exercise can be done sitting or standing. While exhaling, simply pull your stomach muscles in as tight as you can and hold them for a few seconds. Work up to 20 repetitions. This can be done daily. This exercise is for those unable to do one of the other two exercises. Jim Johnson writes short convincing books. He presents simple self-care solutions. Do you want to avoid surgery, prescription drugs, supplements, pricey equipment, and complicated workout routines? Then try Jim Johnson’s books for what ails you. If you have knee problems, look up his knee book on Amazon. He also has a book on treating your rotator cuff. Creating good health can sometimes be surprisingly simple.
Great bird dog exercises and description. I will post pictures to help my readers. Thanks a ton for commenting.