Question:
I have moderate back pain 100% of the time. I'm not interested in drugging myself or having back surgery. I have noticed that as my weight decreases, the pain has also (but not enough). I'm wondering if anyone could suggest an exercise that I can incorporate into my routine that would be helpful. The pain is very targeted in one area, right between my shoulder blades.

Answer:

I highly recommend yoga or pilates or some other "core conditioning" to strengthen the muscles that surround your spine. I used to get terrible pain between the shoulder blades and nearly started chiropractic visits. I have a mild form of scoliosis in that area. After telling my yoga teacher about it, she gave me some ideas of vinyasas (poses) that would work the back gently. It's been great and I only suffer occasional pain when I spend too much time hunched over the computer.

I've had off and on lower back pain since a diving accident in my teens. I noticed it bothered me more at my heavist weight than any other time. I also do a lot of stretching exercises to relieve the pain when it occurs. I find an exercise ball is a great way to strengthen the lower back muscles.

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