Relax & Restore : Back Pain Relief

Working at a desk for long hours can make us feel stiff and tense. So it’s little surprise that back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek medical help. Sometimes, pain can hinder our ability to walk, get a good night's sleep or carry out our daily tasks.

What Happens...

When we sit for a long time, our hips and knees are constantly bent. When we slump over our screens, our heads are positioned forward more than normal and our backs hunch over. Over time, this can lead to discomfort and bad posture.

Plus, all that sitting really stresses out our lower backs and hips.

When we sit for extended periods, our energy levels can drop due to reduced blood flow. Being inactive can lead to higher blood sugar levels which can result in persistent fatigue, particularly for people with diabetes.

When these signs are present, it's essential to adopt a more active lifestyle by incorporating breaks from prolonged sitting and regular physical activity.

A woman works on a laptop at a cafe
A woman works on a laptop at a cafe

Yoga doesn't just energise and refresh us, but helps to :

  1. Reduce stress and tension, alleviate stiffness in the shoulders, knots in the back and tension in the neck.

  2. Improve concentration and focus. Attention to breathing helps clear out mental clutter, making us feel more centred and alert.

  3. Improves digestion and detoxifies. The stretching, twisting and compression in yoga helps to stimulate our circulation, our lymphatic system and regulates digestion.

Sometimes all we need is to return to the simplicity of our breath, one mindful breath at a time.

Further Reading

Grow Up, Grow Old  : Just Grow

A Back Strengthening Sequence : Spinal Strength

The Importance of Sleep

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