A vacation for me and my back!!

I have been under a lot of stress lately, especially at work and was very much looking forward to my holiday. Due to working very long hours, sitting and driving a lot, doing no exercise at all and being tense-essentially clearly overdoing it- I noticed for the first time in over a year, some back pain and sciatica symptoms creeping up on me...my back was warning me it was working too hard as well and needed some TLC, but I totally ignored it - no excuses, my responsibility.

So while on holiday I decided to get the matter under control and not let it get any worse. The advantage I find of having knowledge of the lose the back pain system is that I can now apply the pain reduction techniques and exercises as soon as I need to. I understand better how my body works and I just did the simple self assessments again and applied what I needed to.

I also spent about an hour or more a day in the pool. For me water therapy was suggested by my neurosurgeon and by Steve Hefferon of the Healthy Back Institute as something I need to do the rest of my life for the health of my back and is very helpful to me.

Most of the time I go to a pool at home about twice a week but I hadn't been doing that lately so I really needed to get in there! For me water therapy is floating, treading water, scissoring my legs, walking in the water etc. Within 2 days of this regime of the lose the back pain exercises and water therapy (if you can call it a regime- it was mostly good fun) I felt better and the nagging pain had gone away...

I know that with my back pain conditions I need to keep up the exercising and caring for my back, if I do that I'm great and can live my life- no magic bullet - but I have found what works for me.

Lessons I learned from this?

a) Really Listen to your body. Dont just listen then ignore it.

b)Find the combination of things that work for you. (which I had)

c) ...and do them.(which I hadn't lately)

d)If stress aggravates your pain learn how to get stress under control.

e)Take responsibility; it was no one elses fault that I had neglected my body.

f)No matter how busy, your health is vital so always make time for it. Backs need a break too :)


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Lose The Back Pain System
Lose the Back Pain, is a system of self assessments to determine what physical imbalances you may have that may be causing your pain, then specific and targeted exercises to follow to address the imbalances, along with pain reduction strategies. 

For useful information and suggestions there is a Free Back Pain Book Written by the Healthy back Institute-

7 Day Back Pain Cure
This free book (there is a small shipping/handling fee for physical book) will give you a good starting point for taking back control of your back pain covering reasons for pain, pain relief, possible treatments, action plans and many other things you will find useful. Follow Jasmine Ann Raintree's board Back And Sciatic Pain Strategies. on Pinterest.

Courage in the face of challenge.

In my opinion, anyone dealing with back pain and sciatica symptoms or any health issue is courageous...

Dealing with the pain , the medical tests, emotional and practical impact on your life, the hopes and the fears, the positives and the setbacks; possibly even surgery and picking yourself up and moving on...

It requires a mental and emotional strength of being some of us may not have been aware that we possessed.

It is not always an outward show of courage, it may not even be recognized as courage, it may not be noticed at all, but it is courage nonetheless. I think these quotes say it beautifully...

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow".

Mary Anne Radmacher

"There is nobody else like you, The more you can quiet your own thoughts,fears,doubts and suspicions, the more will be revealled to you from the higher realms of imagination, intuition and inspiration"

Kenneth Wydro(American Lecturer)


"Let nothing disturb you, Let nothing frighten you Everything passes away except God"

St Theresa


"Fearlessness may be a gift, but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate ones actions, courage that could be described as "grace under pressure" grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh unremitting pressure"


Aung San Suu Kyi
(Winner of Nobel Peace Prize)

I read to help ourselves through difficult times we should focus on what you do want, not on what you don't want, have gratitude for the things you have, not wish for what you don't have, love the people who love you , do the things you CAN DO and dont worry about the rest. I learned that love can help to overcome fear.

Also to never give up, keep striving for your solution and try to be at peace with yourself. Applaud yourself for everything you do that is courageous in the face of your pain. You are courageous and perfect.

Wishing you peace and happiness If you liked this post do consider joining our Facebook Page Sciatica Solutions.



For useful information and suggestions there is a Free Back Pain Book Written by the Healthy back Institute-

7 Day Back Pain Cure
This free book (there is a small shipping/handling fee for physical book) will give you a good starting point for taking back control of your back pain covering reasons for pain, pain relief, possible treatments, action plans and many other things you will find useful. Follow Jasmine Ann Raintree's board Back And Sciatic Pain Strategies. on Pinterest.

Does Vitamin D deficiency have a role to play in back pain?

I came across this letter in the BMJ today, its not a new one but I dont know if you have seen it?

It mentions that the management of chronic low back pain is challenging and that the importance of Vitamin D is not widely appreciated. It cites several studies/reports which seem to demonstrate the importance of Vitamin D and that Vitamin D deficiency ought to be considered in patients with low back pain.

Its only a short read just thought you might find it interesting. See what you think...

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/331/7508/109-a

After the summer we had in UK this year I am feeling in need of some sunshine and Vit D!! If you liked this post do consider joining our Facebook Page Sciatica Solutions.




For useful information and suggestions there is a Free Back Pain Book Written by the Healthy back Institute-

7 Day Back Pain Cure
This free book (there is a small shipping/handling fee for physical book) will give you a good starting point for taking back control of your back pain covering reasons for pain, pain relief, possible treatments, action plans and many other things you will find useful. Follow Jasmine Ann Raintree's board Back And Sciatic Pain Strategies. on Pinterest.

Amazing people

My work is with kids with physical and learning disabilities, so every day I see these young people coping with things that I never had to endure.

When I was struggling with my own back pain and my own limitations and I have to say getting very down, frustrated and angry with it all, I used to sometimes look to them for hope and inspiration to guide me through it. I do believe at that time they helped me far more than I helped them...

I once worked with a young man who had muscular dystrophy and knew he was going to die. We talked through what he wanted from a charity who gives kids the last gift. He was very matter of fact about it weighing up if he wanted someting to keep like a TV or if he wanted something he could experience with his family to have the memories of it unti he died, and for his family to have good memories of that too even after he died. He chose the latter.... I can tell you I left that meeting in tears but he was so brave and met his challenges head on.

I found this quote fom Helen Keller, another amazing person

"The one resolution, which was in my mind long before it took the form of a resolution, is the key-note of my life. It is this, always to regard as mere impertinences of fate the handicaps which were placed upon my life almost at the beginning. I resolved that they should not crush or dwarf my soul, but rather be made to blossom, like Aaron's rod, with flowers".


If you liked this post do consider joining our Facebook Page Sciatica Solutions.


For useful information and suggestions there is a Free Back Pain Book Written by the Healthy back Institute-

7 Day Back Pain Cure
This free book (there is a small shipping/handling fee for physical book) will give you a good starting point for taking back control of your back pain covering reasons for pain, pain relief, possible treatments, action plans and many other things you will find useful. Follow Jasmine Ann Raintree's board Back And Sciatic Pain Strategies. on Pinterest.

Ever feel in need of a HUG ?

I came across this great site today which I love. It s all about the power of a hug.

Link removed as no longer available.

is all about free Hugs day(today!),one persons attempt to reach out to people and make a difference, Hug therapy,benefits of hugging and touch therapy and some great quotes and video/books etc.

I know when ever I'm feeling low or upset or have pain anywhere a gentle hug can brighten my day more than a whole string of words.....

Just if you have back pain don't hug too hard just a gentle hug will do folks.

Heres my hug to you guys {{{hug}}} pass it on......

If you liked this post do consider joining our Facebook Page Sciatica Solutions.


For useful information and suggestions there is a Free Back Pain Book Written by the Healthy back Institute-

7 Day Back Pain Cure
This free book (there is a small shipping/handling fee for physical book) will give you a good starting point for taking back control of your back pain covering reasons for pain, pain relief, possible treatments, action plans and many other things you will find useful. Follow Jasmine Ann Raintree's board Back And Sciatic Pain Strategies. on Pinterest.

Jane Tomlinson-an inspiration

I don't even apologise for going off topic here.... I have just got home from work to hear that Jane Tomlinson has died. 

 If you don't know her Jane lived in Leeds in UK and was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2000. It was a bleak prognosis of 6 months to live. However over the next 7 years she fought the disease and made her life an inspiration to others.

In addition she took on some amazing challenges, especially for someone with incurable cancer, including a full Ironman (4km Swim, 180Km bike ride and full marathon), two half Ironmans, the London Marathon three times, the New York Marathon, three London Triathlons and three long distance bike rides John O Groats to Lands End, Rome to Home and her final massive challenge a 6781.8 km ride across America.
Jane received numerous awards including an MBE and OBE and voted the most Inspirational woman in Britain in 2003 plus many more.

She was motivated to show that people with a terminal prognosis can still lead a full life and proclaimed “Death doesn’t arrive with the prognosis.” She provided real inspiration to so many people.

Jane also raised over £1,500,000 for charities including Macmillan Cancer Relief, SPARKS, Damon Runyon Cancer Research, Yorkshire Cancer Centre, Martin House Hospice, Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice and Hannah House.
Having been touched by cancer in my family and lost my Dad and my Mum in law and my dog to cancer I think this lady was a very brave, amazing and wonderful woman.

I just wanted to leave my thanks to her here for doing such great work and raising so much money to help other people going through cancer now.

If you want to read more about her please visit her website http://janesappeal.com/

Way to go Jane :)