Clinical Trials: Structural Integration for Chronic Low Back Pain
A clinical trial is starting up in Boston. If you are in the area and have the symptoms, you can receive treatment and get paid! What a deal. I’m excited to see what the results are of the study.
“RESEARCH STUDYDo you have Chronic Low Back Pain?
If so, we invite you to join a paid research study at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston.
This is preliminary research on the effects of Structural Integration as a treatment for chronic low back pain. Structural Integration uses hands-on manipulation and awareness exercises to increase flexibility, balance and ease of motion in the human body.Who is included?
• Both men and women
• Ages 18-65
• Who have had low back pain for at least 6 months…”
[ The rest of the article is here ]
Lying Meditation
If you ever get the feeling that you are just tense all over, there is a great meditation you can do that can be quite calming. This works great for days where you are just feeling frazzled, but it is also a powerful tool to let go of habitual tension that you may not even be aware of. Awareness of these areas can bring about the ability to relax them, just by becoming conscious of the tension held there and actively letting it go.
In this lying meditation you scan your body slowly looking for tension and consciously relax each area. Lie on your back, palms up. Without a pillow if possible, but make sure your neck is elongated and you are comfortable regardless. First close your eyes and then start by putting your attention and awareness into your toes and relax them completely, allowing them to melt with the intention of releasing all tension. Next move to the whole foot, then the ankle, then the calf, and so on until you cover your entire body bit by bit. Put on some mellow music if you like, or just sit in silence if that feels better.
Make sure to really take your time at each area in your body and fully let go of all tension. This can feel like lightness entering your body, or it can feel like a relaxed heaviness depending on what works best for you. Remember to set the mood and make sure that no one will interrupt you while in this relaxed space.
Using Tennis Balls for Tension Relief
Using Tennis Balls for Tension Relief
I want to discuss some alternate uses for tennis balls. The tennis ball is a great tool for self care because it is firm and resilient, yet yields to pressure nicely. There are two ways to use them in this sense. The first is the put 2 tennis balls in a sock and tie the end of the sock so they fit snugly next to each other. You now have a great tool for work on either side of the spine or anywhere else you feel it would be helpful.
To use it along the spine: place to sock on the floor and lie face up with the tennis balls on either side of your spine. Then bring your knees up and feet flat on the floor. Using your feet to stabilize and move your body, lightly roll the tennis balls up and down the spine finding and area of tension or soreness and when found relax and rest your weight on that spot allowing your body and spine to release fully over the tennis balls. Rest for a least 30 seconds to allow time to disengage any subtle holding pattern that may prevent you from experiencing the full effect of this exercise. Your muscle tissue should be able to relax over the tennis balls, if this seems difficult try focusing on deep and relaxed breathing intending the breath into the tense area. Feel free to experiment with this technique in other areas of your body as well, you can even use a wall instead of the floor if that works better for you.
Using just one tennis ball is also a great way to work on the medial arch of the foot. Just try one foot at a time, balancing on a table with the opposite hand and slowly pouring your weight into the tennis ball with the same intention as the above excercise.
