Experiencing lower back pain?
There are many reasons why we might experience lower back pain every now and then.
In this article, I offer a few ways to manage and prevent this common ailment based on my personal experience.
I also share one of my all time favourite and most versatile Jin Shin Jyutsu self help hold for lumbago (lower back pain).
First things first: stay hydrated
I learned early on in my career as a complementary therapist that one of the first places in the body to complain when dehydrated is around lumbars 4 and 5 on the spine.
Drinking loads of water is not always the answer. The body might be deficient in key trace minerals necessary for the optimal functioning of cells.
The good news is that there are many foods that can help us stay hydrated. Take apples for example. Remember that saying: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, our grandmothers weren’t lying!
Apples hydrate on a deep cellular level and provide precious trace minerals such as manganese as well as electrolytes and critical mineral salts that help the body rehydrate after exercise or stress.
Other hydrating foods include grapes, melons, cucumbers, celery, oranges and lemons.
Keep the Piriformis and Psoas muscles happy
The Piriformis is a relatively small muscle in the buttock that can cause HAVOC.
When I studied Anatomy and Physiology, my professor had a lot to say about it when we covered the back. It can get very tight and painful. That can happen when there is a repetitive movement like walking up a hill or ‘stepping’ in the gym.
The Psoas muscle is located in the lower lumbar region of the spine and extends through the pelvis to the thigh bone. Because the Psoas muscle attaches to the vertebrae on the lumbar spine, it can also cause pain and discomfort.
So what to do to keep these muscles happy?
One way is to stretch. There are many stretching exercises on the internet specifically for the Piriformis and the Psoas. Regular stretching is a really good idea, especially if like me, your work requires you to sit (which is not a good idea of course if one suffers from lumbago!).
As I said before, lower back pain can be caused by a variety of issues, so if the pain persists or worsens please seek advice from your doctor.
Jin Shin Jyutsu exercise for lumbago
So here it is: a simple Jin Shin Jyutsu self help hold to relieve lower back pain, also known as lumbago:
Hook your right fingers around the ligament on the outside of the right knee (SEL 8), so that the fingers are on the back of the knee (as shown in the image). No pressure is needed, just hold.
At the same time, hook your left fingers around the ligament of the outside of the left knee (SEL 8) so that the fingers are on the back of the knee.
Just place and hold for a few minutes or until there is relief.
Disclaimer: If pain persists please seek the advice of your medical doctor.
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