The thing that has helped me the most is Egoscue. Check out a book called “Pain Free” by Pete Egoscue. As a previous poster pointed out, our lifestyles don’t move our bodies much, and not with enough variety even if we are moving (everything is between our shoulders and our waist, and right in front of us).

The Egoscue principle is that lots of little muscles check out and stop doing their jobs as a result of lack of motion, and then the big, wrong muscles try and take over their responsibilities when you do finally move, pulling your skeletal system even further out of whack.

When you isolate specific muscles with very mild exercises, they re-engage and start doing their job again. My posture changed, my pain dissipated, and I feel like it’s a whole new life!

I don’t work for them, but I’m one of a long line of testimonials. Check it out, and good luck whatever you do!

Cheers,

Ben
And good luck!

Here’s wishing you a speedy recovery. I have just read the book and wanted to say how great I thought it was.

My other reason for commenting was to see if you had tried accupuncture? I have exactly the same issue, LS S1 herniated on both sides, and the disc above it herniated on one side. I had a crippling attack of back pain after my honeymoon in January (no cheeky comments please!) and went to see an accupuncturist in Cheltenham, England. Not only did he happen to be the ex-actor who once played Oliver Twist in the 60′s classic Oliver! but his treatment really helped. I went from not being able to move to flying back to Mexico where I leave within a week (10 hours flight) without problems.

It’s worth trying unless you are terrified of needles. I would like to ask however what advice you have for taking care of your back and what you were doing before your setback.

Get well soon man,

Simon, Mexico City

Think of the lifestyles most Americans live – that are full of conveniences and time savers.

Engaging in proactive exercising may go a long way in preventive disruptions to ones health.

You are more fortunate than most over 40 Americans in that you are NOT overweight, so you have alot more potential to master any exercise routine you chose

I’ve had wrist injuries and recently shins splints since may (goodbye running, mountain biking, hiking), but thankfully yoga practice is always there, you can always adapt it to your body.

Actually there’s a whole blog devoted to yoga for back pain.

http://www.yogaforbackpain.com/blog/

Also don’t forget Mukunda Stiles, the famous yoga therapist, he also has a forum where you can ask him questions

http://www.yogatherapycenter.org/yoga_forums.html

I hope it all feels better soon and you do activities you enjoy

take care!

Your writing could suffer a 50% hit and still be 200% better than most others out there.

I’m saying a focused prayer for the healing of your L5 S1.