The spine is our support system keeping us upright. Practicing good posture and articulating your spine will help prevent back pain and minimize existing muscle tension.
How to best do this? The Yoga pose known as cat/cow is one way to articulate your spine by first rounding your spine (mimicking the arched back of a cat), then arching your back (pushing the belly forward as a cow). A formal Yoga class isn't necessary, most people can safely practice this pose while seated as shown below. Here are two additional tips to soothe your spine...
Draw your knees towards your chest. This movement relieves low back pain and tension by lengthening the spine.
Practice ergonomics! Place a foot rest under your desk at work. By raising your feet a bit while seated takes pressure off of your low back and improves circulation. A foot rest can be purchased or be something as simple as a stack of books, a sturdy box, or nailing a few boards together. Aim to raise your feet so that your knees are in line with, or a bit higher than your hips.
Be Well! ~ Tiffany
*Blog post first published October 12, 2017
Incorporate this gentle stretch daily. Arch, round, repeat.
