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How to protect against back pain?

How to protect against back pain?
backpain
Answer
11/18/12 9:18 PM
I'd like to be in this for the long haul and have the ability to do intensive retreats.

The main physical problem that seems like it could prevent this is a chronic back problem. I searched through the forums and scarcely saw back pain mentioned, so I assume that most people meditate without 'long term' back pain from sitting, presumably without going out of their way to avoid it. I have seen claims that long meditation sessions have contributed to chronic back pain too though. I've had some lower back trouble in the past, so I assume that makes me a bit more prone to having a chronic problem.

What's the general risk of a chronic problem or what generally factors into the risk? Plenty have done 90+ day intensive retreats. This seems to indicate that meditation is very low risk if most of them are doing okay. Did their bodies have to 'work up' to that kind of time? Or can pretty much anyone just start doing sitting meditation 5+ hours per day without having their back develop a problem?

What would be the best ways to prevent this? For example, certain yoga postures, strengthening exercises, a good book on improving posture.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/18/12 9:32 PM as a reply to Aduro T.
strong core helps reduce back pain for one. if you do crunches each day I think it will likely help.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/21/12 8:11 AM as a reply to Adam . ..
Adam . .:
strong core helps reduce back pain for one. if you do crunches each day I think it will likely help.


I think most doctors say the same thing. I sit in a chair but I used to get back pain if I didn't exercise. I would recommend laying flat on your front and using your back to lift your head and torso up and down. Pushups and crunches also help because muscles support your bones.




RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/19/12 11:39 AM as a reply to Aduro T.
Joshua T:
What would be the best ways to prevent this?


Sensitivity and responsiveness to spinal discomfort.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/19/12 3:08 PM as a reply to fivebells ..
what does that mean

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/20/12 3:33 PM as a reply to Adam . ..
Shift when it gets uncomfortable.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/19/12 5:28 PM as a reply to Aduro T.
Joshua T:
What would be the best ways to prevent this? For example, certain yoga postures, strengthening exercises, a good book on improving posture.

I already have chronic back pain through a repaired L2 disk. That and the surrounding disks are now desiccated so my back is pretty much busted. However, my back surgeon told me that I could use tolerance of pain as a primary factor as to what I should or should not do. In other words, I'm not going to do myself any more damage than I've already sustained. So if I can tolerate it, I can do it.

So I'd take from that, that the primary concern here isn't that you're going to wreck your back, but simply that you may get sore or tired more or less quickly depending on how you sit. Me, I sit on a chair. I've tried a seiza bench, which isn't too bad. But a cushion is impossible since my knees just won't go anywhere near the floor. Someone at the local Zen center suggested I prop up my knees with some small cushions, but if I did that I'd have a pile of cushions either side of me about 18" high! I'm not sure the Zen center actually has that many cushions :-)

"Treat your own back" by Robin MacKenzie is the go to book for this stuff.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/20/12 4:32 AM as a reply to Aduro T.
I'm no expert, but I used to have back problems. I'd say they were due to both 1.tension held in the back and 2.weak muscles. Usually my back was ok, but from time to time I'd lift something, or twist funny, and put my back out for up to a week or more. I'd be in a lot of pain and discomfort. About 11 years ago I saw a chiropractitor who recommended I try Pilates. I didn't go to a class but found a Pilates video instead. I followed the very simple instructions to the introductory exercises (about 20 minutes) each day for several months, and my back improved tremendously. Pilates is very core-strength building and relaxing. Since then I've had few problems. Even if I accidentally twist my back and end up in pain (this happens about once a year), it's not too painful and it heals in a couple of days. It's only my knees, ankles and buttocks that complain if I meditate for too long! (But I don't sit for longer than 1.5-2hrs anyway). I don't do Pilates anymore because I'm now more into qigong (also excellent for core-strength and relaxation).

So find a regular exercise to both 1. relax and 2. strengthen the back. (I don't think just core strength on it's own is enough, though I'm no expert!). Personally I'd highly recommend qigong, but with a good teacher, as they can point out poor posture and where you're tense (see above link).

It might also be a good idea to have an expert check over your back.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/25/12 6:47 PM as a reply to Martin Sokolski.
Thanks everyone for the responses. It sounds like in general, pain in meditation won't become long term and is can be sat through without much concern.

I started doing a qigong routine about a month ago, so that ought to keep me in shape to do plenty of meditation. I may check out either pilates or yoga too, to isolate working on the back until it's a bit stronger.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/26/12 5:51 AM as a reply to Aduro T.
I had this problem to some degree; I asked a yoga teacher and he told me to make torsions... they helped a lot, now I don't feel it any longer; something like this before a meditation session was more than enought to overcome the issue.

RE: How to protect against back pain?
Answer
11/26/12 7:59 AM as a reply to Mario Nistri.
Mario Nistri:
I had this problem to some degree; I asked a yoga teacher and he told me to make torsions... they helped a lot, now I don't feel it any longer; something like this before a meditation session was more than enought to overcome the issue.
Yes I do a similar stretch once or twice (left side and right side) for a few longs breaths after each sit too. It certainly feels good.