How
to get along with your back?
Note: Consult
your physician before attempting any of these exercises.
Sitting: Use
a hard chair and put your spine against it: try and keep one or both knees
higher than your hips. A small stool helpful here. For short rest periods, a
contour chair offers excellent support.
Standing: Try
to stand with your lower back flat. When you work standing up, use a footrest
to help relieve swayback. Never lean forward without bending your knees. Ladies
take note: shoes with moderate heels strain the back less than those with
high heels. Avoid platform shoes.

Sleeping: Sleep
on a firm mattress: put a bed board (3/4” plywood) under a soft mattress. Do
not sleep on your stomach. If you sleep on your back, put a pillow under your
knees. If you sleep on your side, keep your legs bent at the knees and the
hips.

Driving: Get
a hard seat for your automobile and sit close enough to the wheel while
driving so that your legs are not fully extended when you work the pedals.
Lifting: Make
sure you lift properly. Bend your knees and use your leg muscles to lift.
Avoid sudden movements. Keep the load close to your body, and try not to lift
anything heavy higher than your waist.

Working: Don’t
overwork yourself. If you can, change from one job to another before you feel
fatigued. If you work at a desk all day, get up and move around whenever you
get the chance.
Exercise: Get
regular exercise (walking, swimming, etc.) once your backache is gone. But
start slowly to give your muscles a chance to warm up and loosen before
attempting anything strenuous.
If your
back acts up, see your doctor; don’t wait until your condition gets severe.
Williams Reflexion Exercises
Purpose: 1. Stretching
the soft tissues of the lumbar area.
2. Abdominal
strengthening.
Beginning Position: Lying on your back
with your arms at your sides and your hips and knees flexed so your feet are
flat on the floor.
- Pelvic Tilt: Take in a deep breath. While
exhaling slowly, tighten the stomach and buttock muscles at the same
time so as to flatten your back against the floor. This is theflat
back position. Hold this position for a count of 3. Repeat 10
times.

- Single Knee to Chest: With both
hands on one knee, and while maintaining a pelvic tilt, bring the knee
up as near to the chest as possible. Return it slowly to the starting
position. Relax. Repeat, alternating with each leg. 10 times.

- Double Knee to Chest: While
maintaining a pelvic tilt, bring both knees up to the chest, and with
your hands clasped, pull your knees toward the chest. Hold for a count
of 3. Repeat 10 times.

- Partial Sit-Up: Take
in a deep breath. While exhaling slowly and maintaining a pelvic tilt,
lift your head up and forward, performing a curl-up so that you shoulder
blades clear the floor. Hold for a count of 5. Repeat 10 times.

Note: All
exercises should be performed within the pain-free range.
Exercises should be performed three times daily. Morning,
afternoon, and before bedtime – preferably preceded by a hot bath.
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