At 54, stacking wood can take a slight toll on my low back. I use my Functional Movement wisdom that comes from years of experience and my training in:
Bio-mechanics as an RN to not hurt my body lifting & hauling on patients in hospital beds
Movement anatomy, basically the same thing as biomechanics but I did not want to repeat the word. ; ). This I learned as a Physical Education grad student and Faculty Fitness Trainer at Syracuse University.
Yoga practitioner and teacher for 28 years thanks to a very wise professor in the Phys Ed Department at SU
Just being alive for 54 years and figuring out what works and what doesn’t.
Lifting and stacking wood takes much bending forward action. To counter this and bring rebalancing back to the body’s muscles, bones, joints, and tendons-ligaments; doing a varied Yoga routine of backbends, lateral bends, and twists of the spine seriously helps me function for the rest of the day.
I will add, at the end of this, an image of a PDF file I created to help low back issues. This is a series of Yoga Poses I specifically use for days when a lot of forward bending is happening. If you want a copy of the actual PDF for home use, join my newsletter and it will be your gift. Already on my newsletter? Email me and it is yours!
Wood stacking is one example of forward bending habits. Other lifestyle actions could be weeding the garden, housecleaning, scrubbing laundry on a washboard (come on, you do this, right?!), washing dishes, working at a computer, etc. We do much leaning forward motion in life and countering this is so good for your body, bringing balance in the muscles, bones, joints, and connective tissues. Any lifestyle habits that leave your lower back in a tizzy can use some wise manipulation of the spinal movements to set things straight.
Be wise, think about what you are doing and use good body mechanics, and help to open up the body. Things get tight from overuse strain. Just like people get carpal tunnel syndrome from holding their wrists in the “type on the computer or personal device” angle… well, your body gets hung up in the bending forward to lift and stack wood movement and just needs a good stretch back into everyday motion reality.
It takes me about 7-10 days to stack 15 cords of wood. I work in the AM, for about 1-2 hours, before I get to the day’s Functional Medicine & Sacred Circle Yoga Business. Towards the end of this wood stacking time frame… the back needs a little more than the post stacking Yoga spinal manipulation.
I bring out the big healing actions… (I refused to use the word guns here):
I love my back bender, actually called the Lumbar Extender. I rest on this for 15-20 minutes and bring some profound backwards reorientation to the curve of my spine. Aaaaah is the sound my spine and back makes.
Lumbar Extender on Amazon, I wish I had a local store to refer you to.
2. I try to remember to do this quick routine on both sides of my body, daily, after stacking wood. I also try and remember to do it every night before I slip into bed. This YouTube video explains how to bring quick relief to low back and sciatica issues.
3. More Back care info: Kissing Low Back Pain Goodbye & Bye Bye Back Pain (cont.)
Taking care of the body to prevent and heal repetitive movement strain is a key to vitality, low inflammatory issues, and happy longevity. Taking care of you is key. You are the caretaker of self (it is what Hands On Health is ALL about) … no one else will or can take care of you.
8/7/19 The Yoga Back Relief Poses will be posted here ASAP. I have to go to Five Elements Living and finish the VV. “It’s time to make the VV.”
See below, VV is finished on 8/8/19.
Yoga pose image also posted below. Want the PDF, sign up for my newsletter & it is your fee gift.
VV is finished & ready to Love up your female parts; check it out here & purchase if it sounds like what you need.
