How to Eliminate Back Pain and Stiffness

Several back pain sufferers--of which there are millions--take a "woe is me" attitude when it comes to their physical discomfort. They merely think that it's just fate that makes them feel 150 years-old when they get out of bed in the morning, that somehow, their destiny or God's hand, has dealt them a bum card in life.

Those who do want to do something to alleviate the pain, unfortunately, are duped into thinking by the medical community that surgery is the only option.

Even if surgery eventually lessens the pain, albeit at a cost of thousands of dollars and the risk of complications, the back pain sufferer who elects to go under the knife will perhaps only enjoy short-lived positive results.

If you want to avoid lower back pain, the simple answer is that it's going to take daily effort to reverse the pain and then stay pain-free.

It doesn't take an expert in physiology or kinesiology to "diagnose" the causes of lower back pain. Most injuries or chronic muscle pains or spasms occur from muscular imbalances. So without having to take out a hundred thousand dollars in student loans and getting a fancy degree, what is the most common cause of back pain?

If you said an imbalance and weakness in the deep abdominal muscles, you've just saved yourself 100 grand.

It's fairly easy to mitigate and possibly even totally reverse debilitating back pain. Are you ready to work at it every day?

One of my personal heroes, a guru, you could even call him, is almost 90-year old surf icon Dorian Paskowitz, who wrote a book called "Surfing for Health" (available for purchase online at AlohaDoc.com), in which his most memorable words for me are: "To truly achieve a superior state of well being takes a daily commitment."

Amen, Doc! Despite some bum knees and a replaced hip, Doc still surfs (see below).

So how to apply Doc's wisdom to back pain?

Every day, do something to strengthen your abdominal core. Don't do dozens of situps as that is a waste of time and recruits too much of the hip flexor muscles. Incorporate a daily stretching and strengthening routine. As few as 5 minutes upon rising or going to bed is all it takes.

If you're ready to take the plunge and get rid of back pain, email me  and I'll gladly be of service--but only if you're committed to a daily practice (at least 5 days a week).

How to Eliminate Stiff Joints in Just Two Weeks

Do Your Joints Creak Like floorboards in a Haunted House? Do you think that it's normal for you not to be able to turn your head more than a couple inches? What have you done all these years to improve your neck mobility?

Do you think it's just genetic luck that someone can rotate their head like the Exorcist? Maybe you think you're too busy to do neck exercises ... if you can't make time to go to the gym, then how would you squeeze a joint mobility session into your hectic day?

If you do indeed want to make a positive change in your overall well-being and functionality as a physical specimen, take heed of this advice.

If you take just five minutes in the morning to do some of the following exercises, you will feel your physical tension mitigate significantly. You might also avoid a traffic accident by being able to comfortably look in your blind spot.

Range of motion/joint mobility exercises can be done in the shower, on the toilet or in a plane, train or automobile. You can increase the mobility of your neck while watching TV. If you're unmotivated to get off the couch during commercials, consider doing some range of motion exercises while keeping your coach cushions warm.

Start off doing exercises that will increase the range of motion in your neck.

Flexion and extension is first. Tilt your chin up to the sky and hold for a second while breathing out, then inhale and bring your chin towards your chest. Repeat at least 20 times.

Rotate your head to one direction keeping your chin parallel to the ground and without lifting your shoulders. Try 15 repetitions one direction; repeat on the other side.

Next, perform 15 reps of lateral flexion, whereby you bring your ear to your shoulder, also without lifting your shoulder. If you can only bring your ear down an inch or so, you need to do this exercise!

Move on down to your shoulders and perform 10 reps of shoulder rolls one way, and then switch. Progress to unilateral movement, elevating one shoulder blade at a time. Don't forget to switch directions.

If you do just these simple exercises you will notice a great improvement in your athletic performance and overall daily feeling of well-being.

To learn more range of motion exercises contact Judd to schedule a complimentary introductory 20-minute joint mobility lesson.