I finally found something that works amazingly well for my chronic lower back pain caused by hours of sitting in front of my computer.
For years I have applied essential oils and done yoga exercises for my lower back pain, and it used to work. However, now that I’m over 50, it’s not working as well, I’m in too much pain, and every once in a while, I have very bad episodes that take much longer to heal. I have done a lot of exercises that I have searched on the web, but the improvement has been slow… until now.
I recently discovered a simple series of exercises for lower back pain that, along with essential oils, make a world of difference in keeping my back in better shape and pain free.
exercise is essential
I have always known that stretching, balancing, and strengthening the muscles of the back, abdomen, and legs are essential to maintaining a healthy back. But I didn’t realize the importance of a chain of muscles that all need to be strengthened together for a balanced back.
Chiropractor Dr. Eric Goodman has a series of videos on YouTube showing a series of short exercises you can do for a few minutes throughout the day whenever you start to feel lower back pain. The exercises are incredibly effective, especially when you add essential oils.
I have found that when I apply my essential oil blends before back exercise, I drip some oils onto my shoulder and rub them in as best I can, my muscles relax, my range of motion improves, and the benefits last much longer. When muscles are warmed up and activated by essential oils, they seem to build, repair, and recover faster too.
The best mixes to use
millennia It is the first mixture that I always use for the back. It was specifically blended to balance and align the back and electrical energies of the body. It has a universally appealing fragrance that is perfect for both men and women. Its fragrance does not conflict with any other oil blend and can be used anywhere. Decreases inflammation, soothes and relaxes tight ligaments and muscles in the spine. Some call it the “chiropractor in a bottle” because it seems to enhance any chiropractic adjustment and helps the benefits last longer. It is smooth enough that it can be applied to the back undiluted.
If you apply these oils yourself, simply sprinkle 6 drops on your back and massage as best you can with your hand on your upper back and your thumbnail, knuckles or fingers on your lower back.
TendaCare It is the perfect second mixture to warm up and relax the back muscles before exercise. This is a light blend with a fragrance like a refreshing spicy aftershave. You may want to dilute it before using it. It won’t hurt to use 6 or 7 drops on your back undiluted. If it’s too hot, you can massage with a carrier oil to cool it down.
If you only have single oils, here are some great options to ease inflammation and relax your back before and after exercise: ginger, Roman chamomile, lavender, wintergreen, birch, Idaho balsam fir, spruce, peppermint, marjoram, and basil. Be sure to thin Wintergreen and Birch.
The exercises
Here is a series of YouTube videos from Dr. Goodman demonstrating the three basic back exercises. He can use them all at once in a quick 20 minute routine or throughout the day when he needs to stop spasms, reset, energize and strengthen his muscles to relieve lower back pain.
Here’s a complete routine that I’ve used over and over again to make sure my form is correct.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BOTvaRaDjI&feature=endscreen&NR=1
If you have severe and ongoing low back pain issues, you may want to listen to the full 2-hour interview between Dr. Eric Goodman and Dr. Joseph Mercola. Dr. Goodman takes Dr. Mercola through his top three exercises at the end of the video. He also demonstrates The Founder’s modification using a chair instead of the floor for those with severe back pain. If you don’t want to listen to the whole interview, you can move the cursor until you reach the exercise demos.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bsbz8qxPGNs
If you have serious health concerns, be sure to check with your healthcare professional to make sure it is safe to perform these exercises and use essential oils.
Dr. Goodman says it may be better to do short segments of these exercises throughout the day rather than doing them all at once. If you’re doing that, keep a bottle of Millenia on your desk, place a drop or two in one of your palms, rub together, and inhale. This will relax your entire body and prepare you for the exercise.
You can find all of these essential oils and basic essential oil training at http://www.youroillessentials.com.
