Breathing and Meditation for Back Pain

Breathing exercises along with meditation can be beneficial for individuals with back pain. Breath control techniques, exercises, and meditation techniques help bring the mind and body into functional harmony. This can help ease and reduce back pain. The article discusses the benefits of how these techniques help promote spinal health.  

Breathing Exercises

Developing the ability to rhythmically breathe properly and optimally helps reduce back pain. This is because it allows the individual to focus on breathing, keeping the brain from focusing on the back pain. Most individuals breathe in a shallow manner, taking short, uneven breaths. This does not allow for sufficient blood flow throughout the body. Only the minimum amount is being pumped, which does not help inflamed/injured areas. Proper breathing technique involves taking deep slow, smooth breaths that reach into the abdominal area. Each inhale should be the same length when exhaling. One way to make sure is to inhale and hold for five seconds then exhale for five seconds. This can be done while sitting or lying down but these exercises should be practiced anywhere regularly to get into the habit of breathing fully. It could be in the car, at work, at a desk, the store, etc.

Meditation

Meditation helps the body and the brain relax. This helps to loosen and unclench the back muscle tension. It helps decrease the perception of pain by resetting the focus on something other than the pain. While meditating the objective is to let go of negative thoughts, specifically thoughts on pain, allowing the positive to take over. There are various ways this can be achieved like listening or watching the rain, ocean waves, or nature soothing videos. It’s not about forgetting the back pain but a system to cope with it. Meditation helps an individual become more aware of their mind and body. Meditation should be done sitting or lying down in a comfortable position.  

Connecting Mind and Body

Today local gyms and yoga studios offer workshops that focus on breathing and meditation combined with linking the mind and body. Check out DVDs and books available. These exercises/techniques are different for everyone. Try a variety to figure out which works for you, as it could be a combination. It’s all about finding safe natural ways to help relieve and prevent back pain. Although these are not considered strenuous physical activity, consult with a doctor or chiropractor before beginning a breathing/meditation regimen.

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Back Pain Rehabilitation

 

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