I’m not sure if it’s a female thing or a parent thing, but I suffer from back pain. I suffered from lower back pain as a teen and unfortunately, it’s persisted to show up into adulthood. Of course, three pregnancies, holding, carrying and breastfeeding three kids hasn’t helped either. I have to say that the worst pain I experienced came most recently, after I gave birth to my third son. The days and weeks following labour were the most painful. To help with my back pain I’ve gotten massages and have sought help of professionals like Chiropractors.
Another option is to take care of your own health by following exercises prescribed by professionals. That’s why I encourage you to check out the new App put out by the Chiropractors of Canada called ‘Straighten Up Canada’. Just in time for world spine day taking place October 16th, the App shares 12 simple exercises, for both adults and youth, to help improve back health including maintaining good posture. The Canadian Chiropractic Association recommends that individuals complete the exercises, which should take three minutes, at least daily. Of course, you can include the excercises as part of your overall daily health routine and do them several time throughout the day including in the morning, during work (“take 3 at 3”) and at night.
I recently tried out the App and the exercises. Even my son decided to join in. It was easy and fun and most of all, it helped me become aware of my posture and really helped me relax (even for just three minutes)!
Here are five reasons why good posture is so important:
- Reduces wear and tear: Having a balanced spine decreases the amount of stress and pressure on your joints, reducing the risk of wear and tear that can result in a limited range of motion or arthritis.
- Breathe Easy: By avoiding slouching and sitting up straight you are helping to open your airways and increase oxygen flow throughout your body.
- Decreases Stress: Since stress causes your muscles to contract and become tense, stretching those muscles reverses the tension and the related stress.
- Increases Energy: Slouching puts many of your muscles into overdrive as they work to hold you up, wearing your body out. Proper posture enables the body’s most efficient position, saving energy.
- Be Better: Standing up straight with your shoulders back gives you the appearance of being taller and slimmer, making you feel more confident.
Beyond detailing the exercises, the App also allows you to track your progress and provides you with facts on common back-related problems and enables you to find a chiropractor near you. It’s simple to use and is full of great information so make sure to check it out!
GIVEAWAY
One lucky winner will receive a $50 iTunes gift card. Enter the giveaway via Rafflecopter below (please give it a few seconds to load). Contest is open to Canadians. Contest ends Monday, October 27 2014. Good-luck!
charityk says
i have back pain, i get massages from an rmt and sometimes my hubby
edmontonjb says
I suffer from lower back pain. I usually use a heating pad to try and soothe it. My husband and I were just talking last weekend about posture. We are both trying to be more aware of how we hold ourselves when sitting and standing. This app sounds wonderful!
Jonnie
mongupp (@mongupp) says
Yes occasionally. I find resting helps but i would love a deep massage
Judy Cowan says
Occasionally I do have back pain and I have to admit that my posture is not always the greatest. I am definitely going to check this app out and try the exercises. Thank You!
seham merzib says
I go for massages once in a while
Courtney says
I do so I do yoga and see a massage therapist regularly
donna snugglebuns dufresne says
I had a decompression fusion done on my spine c-4 and c-5 disc and I now suffer from disc degenerative dicease thank you for the tips
Viv Sluys says
I used to have great posture but I find myself slouching a lot lately. I mostly just remind myself to sit/stand straight. I need to start doing more core strengthening exercises!
Lynn Mathieu says
I suffer from mid back pain,so I do Pilates to help stretch and lessen the tension/pain.
kathy downey says
Yes,I use heating pad and deep massage
Suzanne Giroux says
I am very lucky as I have never had back pain. I do yoga and have a strong core which I believe really helps me prevent having back pain.
Erika E says
I suffer from back pain. I do stretches to help but sometimes I have to use cold and hot packs and rest.
piroska says
Occasionally, I have lower back pain (sciatica). I try to not sit too long. Take warm baths to relax.
Denise M says
I do not have good posture. Right now, I’m not doing anything for it. I just try and remember to stand and sit upright. It doesn’t seem to work. This app seems great!
beth says
I do have some shoulder neck pain from desk job- I have massages every 6wks as well as lots of stretching and walking
ivy pluchinsky says
I have back pain occasionally, and i usually try to stand and stretch and go for walks when i can
DARLENE W says
I often get the heating pad out
Amy Heffernan says
Back pain YES!! Not much helps but advil helps a bit!
Stephanie LaPlante says
I have chronic back pain and needles in my spine but they’re not really working…yet.
Robyn Bellefleur says
I suffer from back pain and use heat pads for relief.
Tammy Dalley says
I do suffer back pain, I take pain relievers and i rest a lot!
Athena says
I do suffer from back pain, I try to do hot yoga to help.
nomnombearinyvr says
I have awful posture and my mom reminds me that very often. Right now I pay more attention to how I walk and to make sure my shoulder are kept back.
Jeannie Lam
sschool2010 says
I have back pain so I have an ergonomic chair which really helps! (Suzi)
loriag says
Yes I suffer from both bad posture and back pain. I stretch and take pain relievers to help.
Kel Gordon says
I get monthly massages to keep my back feeling great !
Shirley OFlynn says
I use a heating pad to soothe my lower back pain.
Natalie says
I do suffer from chronic back pain – I had a herniated disc last year and it truly sucks. Lots of physio and massage has helped. Swimming and some light yoga has helped. IMS from my physio too.
Stacey Dempsey says
I have alot of trouble with my back . I go to the pool regularily to do an aquafit class which is great for keeping your body moving in a low impact way and after I use the hot tub which seems to help as well. At night I have those bean bag heat bags that you heat up on the microwave and they help alot too
kristineewald says
I do, I was rear ended
Heather Robinson says
I have back pain. I see a chiropractor and do yoga and Pilates, which helps.
Lori Paul says
i have had two back injuries more than 20 years ago and still suffer with back pain!
jenny says
a massage helps!
Autumn says
Yes I have scoliosis and chronic back pain, and do a combination of medication, epson salts baths, and massage for it.
eherrera32 says
Yes I agree with the many responses, a professional massage is very critical to being cured.
Tricia Cooper says
I notice that my posture is not as good as it used to be – however, I also notice that when I keep up my yoga practice my posture is much better!
Wanda Tracey says
I suffer with LBP from an accident.I have been to therapy and continue to do the recommended exercises at home.I use heat and Rub a535 to relax.Thanks for the great giveaway.
Dimple says
I have lower back pain and stiffness if I sit too long in one position. I use a heating pad and exercise to feel bettering.us.me@gmail.com
patti townsend says
have for years due to being over weight and having 2 kids less then 11months apart, but recently working on that
Lori Jackson says
My back constantly hurts but thankfully we have a hot tub..that helps alot!
doodysmama says
I use a combination of pain killers and warm baths for my back pain.
j nelson says
I get back and hip pain when I sit too long. I find a brisk walk with my head held high works wonders.
andrea amy (@mommy2fiveboys) says
I do have a bad back. I have fibromyalgia so I basically have a bad everything. I don’t do much, I try to take it easy, I try to walk every day, and I try to soak in a hot bath every couple of days to help relieve pain and stiffness.
brandon forsyth says
I have bad posture when i am watching tv. I always sit forward hunched over and my back and neck hurt sometimes. I find yoga helps a bit, as well as getting a massage.
Bailey Dexter says
I have arthritis pain, and I exercise always. It is the only thing that can get me going in the morning!
Jody D says
With age and driving a truck for a living it is something I have to be concerned about. The back does cause some sleep issues some nights!
Karla Sceviour says
i do have a bad back sometimes,,I take advil,,is about all I do to help.
Bons says
I do suffer from back pains. I go for massages and have back support that I use
sarah jackson says
have terrible back pain in the evenings , I do stretches and use ice usually
billiondollarprincesss says
yes i have back pain as i was in a car accident. I try to excercise a bit and massage
Jodi Mitrovic says
I’m in my third trimester and never knew what real back pain was until now! Both my parents suffer from chronic back pain and I never really knew what they meant! I’m going to download this app for all 3 of us and challenge them. Thanks for the great share and giveaway!
Tooth Fairy (@toothfairycyber) says
Many of us working in Dentistry suffer from back problems due to poor posture and positioning. I try to remember to pay attention to how I am sitting when working on patients and also when sitting in front of computer screen. I should be stretching and doing more strengthening exercises.
Rebby says
I have back pain alot, I try advil and hot compresses!
Brenda Penton says
I suffer from lower back pain in the mornings. I usually stretch or do yoga to help.
Melissa says
Cool app! I broke my back in my 20s and have Lyme disease so keeping my back strong is important
lori b says
i suffer from back pain, due to accidents, my hot tub helps as well as heat and ice packs, and the usual stretching with bands
Journeys of The Zoo says
I suffer from daily back pain due to scar tissue (from a previous injury). Get up and moving in the morning helps but standing up straight does too. I will definitely be trying these exercises. Thanks for sharing.
P.S. Love the view from your sliding windows.
Besos, Sarah
Blogger at Journeys of The Zoo
Darlene S. says
I suffer back pain due to a car accident. I use a lumbar cushion and pillows to help relieve pressure.
Suzie M says
I have some back pain but frequent stretching helps it
Patrick Miller says
I have a problem with a lumbar disk and take prescription meds for it.
prairiebelle says
I suffer from back pain every once in a while. I find if I do stretches it helps lots
SueSueper says
Stretching helps me feel better.
Chris Stockford (@ONPStockford) says
dont suffer
Lori Bazan says
I have walked with a bit of a slump since childhood. Stretching and proper posture is helping
Alexa Cohen says
I do so i stretch!
Kateryna K says
yes from back pain, messages help
Josh S says
I have a bit of back pain. I try and get messages.
AlexConde (@AlexConde) says
I do have bad posture. I work at computers and find myself slouching and rolling my shoulders far too much. It gives me headaches. I’m trying to ensure I get up and move more often.
Juliee Fitze says
I have a bad back and I get massages and reflexology.
Lynn Clayton says
Yes I go to the chiropractor a lot
Silvia D says
occasionally I get back pain, I use a heatingpad or massage. My husband has to use a back brace.
Holly Wright says
I have bad posture, I try and stand up straight and not slouch when sitting!
Cahley Tod-Tims says
I have decent posture but sometimes when I studying I hunch over my books and then I use stretches to help with the stiffness.
Selmaa90 says
I use heating packs :/
mrdisco1 says
Yes I do. I just use muscle sprays and rubs
cheryl says
yes I think I do, I use the hot shower usually or rub a535
Jennifer P. says
I sure do – the pain leads to bad posture and vice versa! I do lots of stretching, and I find that the more active I am the better it is so I try to keep active by playing volleyball, going for a run, and doing lots of walking. If it gets really bad I go for a massage or chiro appointment.
truckerofbc says
I have back pain from siting all day as a trucker.
Victoria Ess says
I have back pain but I try to help it with yoga.
Lisa Neutel says
I have poor posture. But no back pain..I do go for massages occasionally
lilfifi says
Due to a quadding mishap I have back pain in my upper back. I do yoga and stretches and some strengthening exercises, and it really helps alot.
Yuen C says
Bad posture and I do yoga stretches
Eldon says
I have back pain from sitting all day
peachie says
I have backaches occasionally that I soothe with heatpads and massages