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Posts Tagged ‘back pain’

Do My Hamstrings Make Me Look Tight?

August 16th, 2010 by David Hawkins

Just wanted to share a short video on how to use the foam roller to loosen up tight hamstrings. Your hamstrings attach to the bottom of your pelvis. So tightness in the hamstrings can lead to a posterior rotation or pulling on the pelvis and put undue strain on the back, setting you up for injury in the future.

Many people have worked on hamstring stretching only to become discourage when they don’t immediately become more flexible. I have certainly been there. It is important to make hamstring stretching a part of your exercise routine particularly if you sit at a desk for any length of time throughout the day. Consistency in your stretch will definitely lead to benefits over a period of time.

If you have been stretching and aren’t making progress or if you are just starting out, you may want to add a foam roller to your routine. Using the foam roller can help work out some of the muscle spasms that can keep you from improving your flexibility. Use this technique as part of your stretch routine and you will find your flexibility increasing much faster than by just stretching alone. Take a look:

Improving hamstring flexibility is essential to helping prevent low back problems in the future and using the foam roller is a great tool to assist you in that goal.

Thanks for watching,

P.S. Stay tuned for more ways to use the foam roller to help prevent injury.

P.S.S. Please feel free to share this information with your friends and family to help them on their journey to “Health Freedom”

When is it time to seek help?

July 7th, 2010 by David Hawkins

We all have experienced pain or soreness at some time in our lives. Many people that I evaluate in my office report that they have been struggling with pain for an extended period of time, sometimes months even years.  Often they think, “I just pulled a muscle, it will go away.”  When it doesn’t go away they are left wondering if they should have done something earlier.  So when is it time to seek professional help for your pain?  Below is a list of guidelines to help you make the right decision on when to seek advice from an expert:

  1. If your pain is effecting your day to day activities (can’t lift my baby, can’t sit at my desk, have difficulty turning my head while driving, can’t focus at work, etc.).
  2. If your symptoms keep you from enjoying your hobbies (can’t exercise, can’t go shopping, can’t play sports, etc.)
  3. When your pain isn’t responding to the things you have tried (ice, heat, rest, over the counter meds).
  4. If you keep “tweeking” the same area (muscle, joint) each time you try to return to activity.
  5. If your “fear” of re-injury or increased pain is keeping you “on the sideline”.
  6. When you just don’t know what is causing your pain or how to treat it.
  7. When you have signs of inflammation: red, hot, swollen area (shoulder, knee, back, etc)
  8. If compensation for your pain is effecting other parts of your body (ie: limping from an ankle injury is causing back problems).
  9. If dealing with the pain is effecting your personality.
  10. When you start to think, “I guess I will just have to live with it.”

These are a few guidelines to help you make the right decision.  Waiting to seek professional help can lead to an extended recovery time or even further injury.  A simple problem can become bigger when left untreated for a prolonged period of time.  When in doubt it is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to dealing with your own health.  Think long term with your issues.  Ask yourself the question, “If my pain effects me now, how will it effect me in 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years from now if left untreated?”

The education that you receive from a professional can help you better understand your current situation, overcome your problem, and provide you with tools to avoid similar pains in the future.  Hope this helps in your quest for the healthiest you!

Remember to share this via Facebook and Twitter with any of your friends or family that might benefit from this post.

Consistency Over Time Creates Change