My back hurts when I do standing positions. I can't seem to relax it enough or find an angle where it won't hurt. I have some pain in my back occasionally (when I am not exercising)... so Oxycise! isn't the REASON for it, but if anyone has a suggestion for me I'd be glad to hear it.

Buff

Hi Buff,
I'm really sorry to hear about your back pain.

Jill has found that her own back pain (due to an injury years ago) has greatly decreased with Oxycise! She believes this is a by-product of strengthening the abdominal muscles, so they support the spine better. She used to take pain medications for her back, and does so only very rarely now.

Be sure to practice good posture as you do Oxycise! -- this is where the Pelvic Tilt should help. (Tuck your "gluts" in, rather than swaying your lower back) Also imagine that you have a string attached to the top of your head and "stand tall".

When your back is really bothering you, Jill recommends the Pelvic Tilt position from Level One: Lay on your back, with knees bent, and feet flat on the floor. In this position you can really focus on breathing correctly and really tightening your abdominal muscles as you do the 3 sniffs, exhale and 3 puffs. (But remember to relax on the inhales.)

When you do the abdominal "scoop" (pulling your lower abdominal muscles in) try pressing your lower back closer to the floor.

This position can be repeated over and over, if needed, and is usually a comfortable position for those who are experiencing back pain. You can even do your whole workout from this basic position, with modifications (such as adding a "Pec Press", "knee press", cannonball, lifting one leg at a time, etc.)

Avoid any positions that cause additional pain.
And if your pain persists, please check with your doctor.

I hope this is helpful. Take care!

Thank you very much for taking the time to reply, Julie!!

Buff

Hi Buff,

Julie gave you a really good answer, and I just want to say that I've really found that whenever my back is bothering me, it really does help to do my O on the floor. Yesterday, it was sore, in part because I hadn't done O for 2 days. When I did my O last night, I did 24 reps flat on the floor, then 3 sitting and 3 standing. The pelvic tilt is one that I repeat throughout my workout, but I also do the torpedoes, the knee hug, and the back leg lifts. To add variety, I went to the t-tapp website, www.t-tapp.com, and found some positions under the "try before you buy" tab, and then "awesome legs", phases 1,2,3,&4, and then the second position on the half frog sequence under "flat stomach secrets". These all feel good for my back. Just do those positions with your Oxy breath, and it works great! I've found a magazine article that has a position called the "dead bug", where you lie on your back, raising your legs off the floor and bending your knees until you've formed a 90 degree angle between your torso and thighs and a 90 degree angle at your knees, with calves parallel to the floor. Raise your arms to the ceiling, with fingers pointed. (I also use hand weights with this one.) In the next position, you start with the dead bug, and unfold your right leg in a diagonal line about 45 degrees from the floor. Press hard through your right heel to keep leg strong. Do your O breathing, and then pull your knees into your chest to relax the lower back, and then repeat on left side.

Anyway, this works for me, and has really helped my back problems. Happy Oing!
Susanna

Thanks, Susanna! I did my 2 workouts yesterday on the floor. Boy, those torpedoes really get me feeling my stomach muscles! But I don't like the knee hug and back leg lift, so I just did pec presses, torpedoes, and basic tilt. If I get a chance I'll look into what you mentioned. The "dead bug" sounds like fun.

It was great lying down! I almost felt like I was taking a nap. LOL

Buff

Hey Buff I just want to add that I too do floor work only when my back is bothering me, as long as I don't skip it and do the O! breathing I am happy..! It is always nice to do all of it but somedays that is just not possible so don't sweat it you are in good company. ~N

Hi Buff:

My heart goes out to you with your back pain. I too have had much and had a back surgery.

I have found that if I just bend my knees slightly (for comfort) the standing positions don't seem to bother me. The more I do my O's the better by back feels, especially when I get out of bed.

Just go easy at first with your O's and your back should be feeling better. Don't push it.

Blessings,

JoyceL

Susanna: Thanks for all the great info. for back pain. I tried the Awsome Legs and what a laugh I had...I couldn't even get them straight up. What is the "dead bug"? Is that easier?

What is the success for loosing in the waist? I am standing still on that issue, no success.

Hugs,

Joyce

Hi Joyce. I really don't know how else to explain the dead bug, except how it is in my other post. You know how they look after you spray them; laying on their backs with their legs all sticking up? Well, you lay on your back and stick your legs up, but not straight up. You bend them at the knee, and form a 90 degree angle at your knees. Raise your arms straight up and point your fingers toward the ceiling. Take your oxybreaths then. Does that make sense?
You know, when I started Oxycise over 2 years ago, I was not flexible at all. My knees hurt a lot of the time, and my feet hurt. If I got down on the floor, I had to have help getting up. The worst part was public restrooms. Some of the toilets are so low, and the stalls are so narrow...and well...I just had a hard time! That's all in the past now! I am 49, but I feel at least 10 years younger, maybe 15! I can get up and down so easily. My knees don't bother me, although I still have some pressure sores on my feet, but I think they are from my shoes. I'm so much more flexible, that I hardly think about doing things I couldn't do then. It's really wonderful! I hope you have this kind of results, too!!!

Susanna