Can Yoga Eliminate the Need for Back Surgery?

One woman, in her fight against back pain, has found a natural cure. Not through diet, not though an old wives tale, but though yoga. Though she likely keeps a healthy diet and works toward other natural cures – staples in the yoga culture – Rachel Brathen, 26, says the exercise is her primary source of back wellness. And it’s been working since she was a teenager. 

Born with scoliosis, Brathen also encountered two injuries as a child – a car wreck and a white water rafting accident. Both of which worsened the condition of her spine. Doctors recommended surgery to reduce her pain and help realign the spine. However, Brathen’s aunt had undergone a similar surgery (both she and Brathen’s mother also had scoliosis), and though it relieved her pain, most of her spine movement was eliminated in the process. 

When contemplating this decision, she was told about the use of yoga for back pain, and decided to try it before going under the knife. Years later and an instructor’s certification, she’s never looked back. Brathen’s back pain is cured, and she’s more flexible than ever. 

Will Yoga Cure your Back Pain?

Perhaps. Though significant or detailed research has yet to be done, Brathen isn’t the only one with a yoga success story. She, and countless others, first started with simple and strengthening classes in order to gain the best results. A step that allowed her to repair the back and increase flexibility on a small (but very effective) scale. Additionally, as Brathen mentioned, because it was a non-invasive treatment, she had nothing to lose.

Then, once her back began to make progress, she was able to take on more complicated classes. Now she’s able to perform complicated balances and moves. 

Talk to your doctor to see if you’re healthy enough for yoga and see what it can do for your back pain. Or, to read more about Brathen’s story, check out the full story.  

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Improve Shopping With These Back-Friendly Tips

It’s that time of year again, when shopping – on all levels and scales – becomes almost a necessity. We spend the season browsing, DIYing, and purchasing for all our loved ones, hoping to find the perfect gift for everyone on our list. 

When heading to a store, however, that can call for heavy bags and browsing in tight quarters. And plenty of crowds to make the task more difficult – a less than enjoyable experience all around. For those who love the atmosphere of holiday shopping, it’s a small price to pay, but for those who experience regular pains or would rather do their browsing in peace, however, it’s a practice that’s better left untouched.

Depending on your shopping preferences, there are a number of remedies that can be followed. One of the most obvious choices is online shopping, where products can be browsed and bought all from the comfort of one’s home. But when items need to be tested in person, or you just prefer the overall allure of the mall at Christmastime, online shopping just doesn’t fit the bill. To avoid back pains without avoiding the store, consider back-friendly methods instead. Such as a shopping cart or basket (also a great place for your coat and purse, even if neither is “that” heavy). Park close to take packages to the car, or ask store workers if you can stash away heavier buys to pick up at the end of your trip. 

It’s also a good idea to wear quality shoes, which can leave the back more supported from the ground up. While proper posture can work to reduce back or neck aches, even when browsing store racks for hours on end. 

To gain the most out of your shopping efforts without developing a literal pain in the neck, look to these helpful body-friendly tips throughout the holiday season. 

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