I was working with a new back pain patient today…
And I always watch how they move around before I start doing any “formal” assessments. The reason why I do this is because most of these daily operations are unconscious, meaning the back pain sufferer isn’t aware that they are doing them.
So, anyway, as he was laying on the floor, showing me some exercises that his physical therapists (yes, “s”, meaning quite a few) have given him, (which did I mention, FAILED to give him relief), I noticed that when I asked him to stand up, he tried to perform essentially a full sit up to the seated position.
So what?
Well, in this case, this patient has had spinal surgery, and a disc fusion, which means that flexion of the spine is a big “no-no”. That and due to the fact he was in pain, his abdominal muscles were not activating very well. Getting up from a lying position in this manner should DEFINITELY be avoided.
I taught him, as I recommend to ALL back pain sufferers, to turn on their side, and push themselves up to a seated position in order to get up.
Your back will thank you a TON for this! I promise!
–Sam Visnic