Stretching and Strengthening

     If you’ve hit the big 4-0 then you’re probably greeted each morning by the sins of your youth that manifest in the back and joint pain that we now deal with regularly. Many of us use medication to “soften the blow” so to speak but I must cast my vote for a gym membership. After suffering for 12 years with back pain that would prevent me from engaging in many pastimes including walks, I found that after two months at the gym I felt great. I explained the problem to a Physical Therapist-friend of mine and he gave me a number of stretching-strengthening exercises primarily for my core muscles. (Abs. Low Back, Gluts, Quads, and Hams.) At first I was amazed at how weak they had become from non-use, but with a little tenacity and patience things began to tighten up and the back pain disappeared.

     I know that this is not practical for all of us, there are certainly problems that this would only aggravate, but why not check with your doctor and see if this might be right for you. You may be suffering needlessly.