Should I be worried?

[Megily]

Hi there,

My name is Matt and I am 23. When I was at school I first hurt my back from attempting a headstand and falling badly and straining my neck. At the time (I must have been around 13) I went to an Osteopath and he clicked and crunched my back into place and I was fine for years.

I would occasionally get a small pain but it would always go away.

A couple of years ago now I helped a friend move house, and with all the heavy lifting of fridges etc my back was in pain again, it's sort of a numb pain in the middle/lower back. At the time I went to an Osteopath again for 4 or so sessions.

After those my back was fine but virtually every day now I have the same numb pain. I work in an office where I am sat at a computer all day (I get up every 30 minutes or so and go for a walk).

I have realised that if I arch my back and put my arm behind my back and push into my spine, it will click a couple of times and feel much better! I can put up with this but I've just realised that doing this could be a bad thing?! Should I seek further advise on this or not? Pushing my back into place makes it feel much better but I am worried that doing this could be wearing out/worsening a problem that I have?

Could anyone give me advise? I don't want to ruin something so prescious as I'm only young!

Thanks
Matt

 

[Rastafari]

Hi,
First of all you are doing exactly the right thing at work. We should never sit still for more than a couple of hours at a time without a break.
As regards treatment.... I have learned over the years, after many back problems...see an osteopath reguarlywhen you are in pain and occasionally even if you are not in pain. We only have one back. Look after it.
And avoid all headstands....osteopaths reportedly make most of their money from yoga students doing headstands. The neck was not built to take the pressure of the whole body.

There is no price that can be put on our health. Invest in your health now!!!

Hope you get better soon.
Love and light,
Christina

 

[chinghanlim]

If performed correctly, the head and neck is taking no more than 10-20g of your weight. The pressure should be spead evenly between your hands and forearms and the head SHOULD NOT BE TOUCHING THE FLOOR! it should just behangingin the cradle you've created with your (partially open) interlocked hands. Sirhasana (the headstand) is a wonderful posture if you are doing it correctly, but great care has to be taken, and obviously you should work through preliminary postures beforehand to build up the strength in your arms.

However, considering your history Matt, please don't attempt it!! Did your Osteopath give you exercises to do to build up the strength (and maybe flexibility?) of your back? Going to an osteopath is a great start, and definately a step in the right direction, but without doing some "self help", it will be difficult to continue getting better....

 

[Nolumbehrt]

I have no intentions of doing another head stand, I haven't done one since and refused to at school!

My Osteopath did not give me any stretches/excercises, but by the aounds of it I could do with another visit to see her.

Should I stop 'clicking' my back in myself?

Thanks
Matt