[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_column_text]Lower back pain is one of the most common physical complaints. Sometimes it just starts aching, other times it seems you injure yourself and are left dealing with the aftermath for much longer than you would like.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][vc_single_image image=”20620″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In an overwhelming majority of cases, low back pain is caused by some variation of poor posture and the solution lies in locating and correcting the problem area; which, surprisingly, is not usually your actual back.
Of course, there are exceptions to this, and pain should really be assessed by someone who knows what they’re talking about. Then you can be confident you’re taking the right course of action.
Although back pain often feels like stiffness, your lower back is supposed to be a pretty stable area. Excess movement is often a trigger for pain. Your lower back can start to move too much to compensate for a lack of movement elsewhere in your body; most often in the thoracic spine (your upper back) or the hips.
Stand side-on next to a mirror and try lifting your arms in front of your body. Watch your lower back and see how high you can lift your arms before your lower back has to start moving. This is your lower back compensating for a lack of mobility in your upper back.
Staying side-on to the mirror, try standing on one leg and extending your other leg out behind yourself with your knee straight. Again, watch your lower back and see how far you can take your leg behind your body before your lower back starts to move. This is your lower back compensating for lack of mobility in your hips, and it may be different on both sides.
Mobility exercises which will help release tightness in the thoracic spine and hips are pretty easy to find online, otherwise please get in touch with me and I will happily talk through some with you. It’s worth building some mobility exercises into your daily routine for a few weeks, you may be surprised at the improvements you can make with just a few minutes a day.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Heather Smith is a fat loss specialist Personal Trainer. Get in touch for a free five-day meal plan via www.fitbiztraining.co.uk[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
