prevent your next backache prevent your next backache
Prevent Your Next Backache
by: Andrew P. Overman, MSPT, CSCS
If you are like most people, you've probably had a backache at one time or another. Statistics show that upwards of 90% of the population will experience some type of low back pain at some point in their lifetime. Low back pain can range in intensity from an annoying ache to incapacitating pain that could prevent you from working or even getting out of bed.
First, you must be aware of the many factors that can contribute to the problem. These can include poor muscle flexibility in the hips and legs, weak abdominal muscles, and weak low back muscles. Pain can also be triggered by prolonged sitting and/or standing, lifting and carrying heavy objects, and from job-related stress. It can even be brought on by a violent sneeze or cough that can cause a spasm in the back. In some cases, inflamed tissues, joints, or bones caused by an infection or immune system problem can spark low back pain.
As you can see, there are a number of variables in our lives that can lead to low back pain. The good news is that there are some very quick and easy exercises that can be performed at home (and at work if you are brave) to significantly reduce the chances of experiencing back pain. You can find a description of these stretches and strengthening exercises at the end of the article.
Do you have a hard time finding even a minute to spare even for some simple exercise? Then ALWAYS follow these tips as you go through your normal daily activities to help lower your risk of low back pain:
1. When lifting any object, keep it close to your body, bend with your knees and hips, and keep your back straight.
2. When sitting, use a straight-backed chair and try to flatten your spine against the back of the chair.
3. When standing for a prolonged time, use a footrest for one foot-this helps keep your back straight.
4. Avoid lifting heavy objects higher than your waist.
One last important point:
Not all back pain is the same. Stiffness, general aching, pain down the legs, and limited motion are all characteristics of low back pain. Any back pain that is accompanied by loss of bowel or bladder control, difficulty in moving your legs, or numbness or tingling in your arms or legs may indicate an injury to your spine and nerves. If you experience these types of symptoms, contact your physician immediately.
I first got a Backnobber II in my late teens before I became a massage therapist and it has been wonderful to me! Now, I am a massage therapist working in a physical therapy clinic and all of my patients and the physical therapists are totally addicted to it! I am working through some overuse issues with my arm and hand and my physical therapist reccomended the Jacknobber II and Indexnobber II to save my CMC joint. I just bought several of the different tools to try using in my practice for deep trigger point and myofascial release work, and for my own self care.
Thanks for making great tools- your company is the only one I trust and reccomend to my patients/colleagues.
Haley N. Masbruch, LMP
“The value that The Pressure Positive Company provides is incomparable in the healthcare industry. Their Backnobber is excellent! They consistently prove themselves worthy of A+ status!"
ActiveForever.com CEO Erika Feinberg
Dear Pressure Positive,
The Backnobber II really hits the spot! It can relieve my sore back muscles almost immediately. I like the fact that I am in complete control, and can apply as much or as little pressure as I wish. The concept is simple but the results are amazing! Also, the Orbit Massager is a great stress reliever and gives a wonderful massage.
Thank you.
Joan B.
Pennsylvania
Dear Renee,
"This is Aaron Kahle. I don't know if you remember but a few months
back you accidently stumbled upon my wordpress blog
(thedeafsage.wordpress.com) and saw my post about your company's
Backknobber II. You were so kind to me that you even sent me a free
black Backknobber II which I use pretty much everyday....Thank you kindly for the gift as it's being used all the time. All my friends love it too!"
Sincerely,
Aaron Kahle aka The Deaf Sage
http://stoppopculture.com/
Dear Pressure Positive,
I received my Backnobber II yesterday and am astonished as to how well it works. I am a traveling salesman and this tool has given me relief I have not felt before. I get massages every couple of weeks and they had a Backnobber II in the office. I tried it once and thought it was great. I tried to find a store with one but couldn't so I bought it on the Internet. When I got home I could not put it down, I used it for three hours. I could sell a million of these. I honestly believe it is one of the best inventions of the 20th century.
Thanks.
Peter Kampner
Wilmington, VT
Dear Pressure Positive,
My business takes me to California every three months and it was at my latest board meeting there that I ended up buying your product at a Relax The Back store. I was quite sore in my back and had planned to hike the Half Dome in Yosemite. Let’s just say that the Backnobber worked and I went up Half Dome, six hours going straight uphill and then three downhill."
Kind Regards, Staffan Hillberg, Sweden, October 2008
Dear Bun,
By the way, the Backknobber II has become my best friend!!! I've been having a lot of back pain due to working out and standing all day at work with not the best shoes. Before I practice my drums I have a Backknobber II session to relax and release tension in my back! Awesome. Thanks!
Ellen Houle
Drummer/Tin Bird Choir Bernard L. Gladieux Jr./President,
I have Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Osteoarthritis and multiple injuries to my spine and shoulder. The Original Backnobber released a spasm that I had suffered with for well over 2 years. I have spent thousands of dollars in that time period on acupuncture, physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage, etc., with no relief. But one evening with The Original Backnobber and I found relief!!
Thank you. Your kindness, compassion and generosity have restored my faith in humanity.
Sincerely,
Florance R. Rickards
Surrey, B.C., Canada
Hi Cindy and Pressure Positive Team,
I received my Backnobber yesterday and wanted to thank you for your fast friendly service. Mostly I wanted to thank you for inventing this great little tool. It is going to be life changing for me. I have already named it, "Little Buddy". Keep up the good work!
Sincerely,
Jerry Mallett Cindy,
For your information, I managed to get a Backnobber II in the UK.
"I certainly recommend your product and your extremely helpful approach to ordering over the internet that saved me $80 on postage by directing me to a local site"
Please feel free to use me as a customer reference.
Sincerely,
Steve
Dr Steve Collins MBE MD MBBS
Director/Valid Nutrition
Hello,
Just THANK GOD FOR YOUR BACKNOBBER II. Honestly, I thought my life was going to be relegated to constant pain. I do not like pain pills, not even NSAIDS. I had surgery after years of pain. Had not my spinal cord been compromised I may not have even qualified for the surgery.
They really don't care about arthritis pain in and of itself. Still, after words, a year and a half later and physical therapy it was pretty horrible. My brother had accidentally hit me swinging back with a baseball bat when I was 7 years old. This kid was going to be a major league player!. So I have known pain all my life, and it is not just my neck although my Neurologist said that he believes it to be the source of all my pain.
But while my body is catching up with my new neck (the Dr's expression...it was that bad!) I am just totally grateful for your product and that I was fortunate enough to find it! Thank you so much, guys.
Sincerely,
Donna Cushing
Romeo, Michigan
I just received your Backnobber II from a friend...it is the best gift I have ever been given. So much of my back, neck and shoulder pain I have been living with for years is now gone with just correct placement and gentle flexing.
I am a Multiple Sclerosis patient who is so very grateful to relieve some of my persistent neck and shoulder pain. Do you have any plans to make a slightly larger one to accommodate us larger people so that I can more easily work on my lower back?
Thanks so much and I have already recommended this product to family!
Loren Horst
Oregon
I came across the Backnobber II by chance at a tradeshow where we were exhibiting a couple of booths down. I had no idea that I had just come across a very simple solution for treating problems I have had for years with my back, particularly around and under the shoulder blades. I pitched baseball growing up, but did the real damage while coaching baseball and throwing batting practice. I had an unsuccessful rotator cuff surgery and ended up going to a specialist for a second surgery, who used a "bone-block" to prevent my shoulder from coming out of socket. The result was a lot of scar tissue and deep tissue pain.
Over the years since then, I've never been able to "dig really deep" into those areas, and have never been successful at getting others to apply pressure in those exact spots with the intensity that I'm after. Those days are history! I now quickly and easily apply deep tissue therapy right where it hurts. And I'm not talking slight pressure- with the Backnobber II you can apply as much pressure as you can possibly stand. A bonus is its simple design, which makes it easy for daily use and travel. I stand wholeheartedly behind this product and recommend it to anyone experiencing deep tissue pain in the shoulders or back areas. I only wish I had found one 20 years ago!
Drew Mercer
Macon, GA
How can I become a distributor? I just received my Backnobber II today! It is wonderful, marvelous and I have nothing but good things to say about it. After showing it off a bit, everyone wants one. I wanted to know if there was a discount in ordering a certain number of these? I saw that in the home page that I could become a distributor as well. I am interested in becoming a distributor. I am in love with my Backnobber II. I won't be able to travel without it, anywhere! Please let me know what I need to do to become a distributor. I believe in this product and I can sell anything that I believe in!
Jerline Walker
Compton, CA
dr suzyDear Pressure Positive,
Many years ago, one of my patients asked me an interesting question. They said, “Out of all of the products that you have recommended over the years for neck and back pain, if you had to pick just one, what would it be?” Without hesitation, my answer was “The Backnobber”. One of the things that I particularly like about the tool is that you can use it anywhere, anytime, without having to wait for an appointment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Suzanne Osborne, Author of Pure Life, The Pura Vida Journey Naples, FL