Managing Low Back Pain: McGills Book

paucek.sheldon1

Well-known member
Hello.

I know this web site is about BFS, not back problems. But in reading this board I notice quite a few messages from people, like me, who suffer from back problems too.

The best book I have read on back problems is 'Low Back Disorders', 'Evidence-Based Prevention and Rehabilitation' by Stuart McGill. The second edition of this book was recently released.

Mr. McGill is a professor with University of Waterloo, Canada. He is not a medical doctor.

What Mr. McGill teaches is the back by itself can only support 20 lbs. He says the back is like a TV or radio transmission tower. By itself it is not that strong. But as a system with guide wires that help hold the transmission tower up stright it is stronger. The guide wires in our body are the muscles that hold the spine up.

Mr. McGill indicates that flexion is what causes lower back damage. Basically curving your lower back. Especially lifting, even light loads, while the back is in a flexion position.

He has about 5 exercises for people with lower back problems.

A few things I find even more interesting.

* According to this book, some of the exercises perscribed by physical therapists are actually damaging to the spine. Not helpful. In my experience this is true.

* His research group has a computer simulation to understand the different stresses of a back. They also have weightlifters and everday people lift items while they look at the back with a floroscope. Finally they test using animal spines to see how the back is damaged.

* So the book provides a lot of 'scientific' evience on how and why people get lower back problems. In fact it is so technical that there are parts that I do not understand.

If you are interested you can read more reviews at Amazon.

I hope I help someone.

Cheers.
-43RichyThe43rd
 
1. To increase viscosity (allowing the veterbra and the disks to slide back and forth), do 6 cat/camel.

2. Squats. Starting with the potty squat.

> The idea is to use your leg and glutts muscles when getting in and out of chairs instead of leaning forward and using your lower spine muscles.

3. People with siatic pain who have freely moving nerves can try flossing. This is a techique where you move the nerves in your back up and down to try to improve movement. But in some cases this can make people worse off especially if a herniation or something similar is not allowing the nerve to move freely.

4. The classic cunches

> Do not do sit-ups they are very bad for your lower back. When I do crunches I take a rolled up bath towel and put it under my lower back to maintain the curve in my lower back.

5. Side bridge exercises on the right and left side

6. Bird dog

I do 10 of each exercise.

Details on these exercises are in the book.

I hope this helps.

-43RichyThe43rd
 

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