Relieve Low Back Pain | Reduce Low Back Pain | Canada's Leading Authority in Human Movement | Dev Chengkalath

Let’s face it.

Back Pain Sucks.

And it really does get in the way of life.

But it doesn’t have to!

Over the past few years in my physiotherapy practice I’ve had the pleasure of working with some wise and insightful clients on their journey towards a back pain free life.

For some of these individuals, the constant irritating pain has been a loyal companion over long stretches. At times abating to a dull nagging “friend” that tags along for the ride. And at other times rushing to the forefront of their awareness in crushing, life-altering waves of excruciating spasms.

Through their pain, suffering and journey towards salvation, each of these clients has taught me something new about living life with back pain.

Without further ado, here are the top 5 things that my clients have taught me about back pain:

1. You can do something about it: You don’t need to live with the pain. There are solutions out there. You may just need to dig a little deeper and search a littler harder. Ask around. Find out what others you know who have had back pain have done. This doesn’t mean their solutions will work for you, but at least it’ll give you someplace to start.

2. Keep moving: Exercise almost always helps. In most cases of low back pain, appropriate movement will help. It will keep joints lubricated, muscles working and mental outlook up. If you’re carrying a few extra pounds, losing those will ease the load on your spine and other joints. Even dropping 10 lbs will significantly decrease the wear and tear on your body. Getting in shape will dramatically improve your capacity to tolerate various stresses, mental and physical.

3. Empower yourself: Be your own best advocate. Only you truly know how your back pain impacts you. Only you are the “expert” on your own life. It’s easy for someone else to sit across a desk from you and say “stop doing ____.” They aren’t the ones living your life. It’s much better if the people who are supposed to help you, work with you, to generate workable solutions that can be implemented in your “real world” and not in some imaginary or unattainable “ideal world”.

4. Consistency is key: Stay on track and keep at it. Don’t give up. Be relentless. There will be peaks and valleys on your journey towards relieving low back pain but in the end, you will find a solution that works for you, a solution that will let you get back to the business of enjoying life.

5.  Know and respect your body’s limits. The body is capable of some pretty amazing feats. It can heal and repair itself from some pretty incredible situations if given the opportunity. This does not mean you can’t push the limits or even reset them. By all means, this should be the goal when looking at reaching new heights of human movement and performance. Just do so safely within the tolerances of your body structures.

If you have any insights on relieving low back pain, I’d be interested in hearing about them. Drop me a comment and let me know.

Yours in movement.

Dev Chengkalath

“Every man is the builder of a temple called his body”

Henry David Thoreau

I agree.

If you want to see what Mike had to say, check out his blog:

http://mboyle1959.wordpress.com/2010/01/14/most-people-are-dead-at-35/

Yours in movement.

Dev Chengkalath

First off, I’d like to wish everyone out there all the best for 2010!

Next I’d like to reflect back to a post I made over a year ago which I still think holds true.

If you’re interested, you can check out my first post about overcoming inertia HERE.

Key to success

Coming back to the present I came across this short but very insightful TED talk that I think will help people not only set goals (hey, isn’t that the basis of New Year’s resolutions?) but GET THEM and achieve the success they seek.

To your success.

Dev Chengkalath

On this frigid Friday morning, many people braved the cold to get a glimpse of the Olympic torch as it made its way through Toronto.

I had the good fortune to have realized that the torch was actually going to pass right by where I live.

I was able to get the following short video clip from my balcony.

Even from that distance, there was something spectacular about the passing of the flame and the magical essence of the human spirit as expressed through sport.

It took me back  21 years ago to when I was a small child in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, watching that same fire burn as it was passed from torch bearer to torch bearer for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.

Yours in the Olympic Spirit.

Dev Chengkalath

As you have the power of choice.

Be the change you want to see

I was sent the following clip by my good buddy Shawn D, legal eagle and overall good guy. 

Although it may not have anything to do with physical therapy or relieving low back pain, I think we can all learn some important lessons about the choices we make and how we have the power to choose our future.

So please take the next minute and forty-four seconds to check out this pretty cool video.

Dev Chengkalath