THWAP! That’s the sound of my middle school French teacher hitting her desk and telling us to “Sit up straight!”  Yep…I had that crazy foreign language teacher.  I’m sure someone’s said it to you too; grandma, mom, teacher or a random – although strange – person.

It used to annoy the crap out of me.  I didn’t want to sit up…it required work.  Until I had back pain I didn’t realize how important it was.  I’m one of the 80% of Americans with back problems and among the 15% who are treated for herniated discs, lumbar pain and other problems.  (source)  Back problems like mine [degenerative disc disease with three herniated discs] don’t have a set treatment and are extremely costly. 

I required surgery to fix my problems and was blessed enough to have a good recovery.  To prevent further problems I need to well… Sit Up Straight! 

Regular spinal exercises and maintaining good posture isn’t good for post surgery patients, they’re good for you too.  Use the yoga thought of a string holding the top of your head to elongate your spine and keep your neck straight.  This helps prevent neck problems too, the second major spinal surgery.  Pull your shoulders back and stick your chest out.  Delay or prevent slumped shoulders and prevent yourself fabulously!

Yoga is a great exercise to build core and back strength through various poses and has been suggested by my physical therapist and surgeon [please check with your doctors].  If you aren’t up for a full yoga practice, adding a few poses as stretches will help.

• Cobra Pose
• Plank or Dolphin Plank Pose
• Cat Cow Series
• Locust Pose
• Bird Dog – Opposite Arm & Leg Reach
• Spinal twists
• Reclining leg stretch – Use a towel

Really any regular stretching is good.  And working on your core through yoga or traditional exercises like planks and crunches will build strength. 

Do what’s best for your back, because if you don’t it will be a real pain…literally. 

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