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How I beat my aching back

Ranked #13,739 in Healthy Living, #215,715 overall

In 1983, I ruptured a disk in my lower back, leading to intense sciatica. I took enough aspirin that I got an ulcer. I was scheduled for back surgery, and the night before the operation, the nurse called and talked me out of it. To this day, I'm grateful. This is how I got rid of my back pain.

At this point, I should say, "check with your doctor" but I won't, because she's clueless. 


My theory is this: it's like a burn. The tissue in your back is irritated. It's sore. When you strain it, it hurts you more.

The solution is to isolate, stretch and pamper the tissue.

The McKenzie Technique

These simple stretches are the place to start

The McKenzie Technique
You should buy a few of his books and the pillow, too.

Get strong

It's surprising, but it really and truly works

Fred's book and his training have really helped me feel better.
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Why your back hurts

It's not just mechanical

Inside your spine (the bones) is some stiff jelly-like stuff that surrounds your spinal cord. If that jelly gets bruised or ruptured, it puts pressure on the cord and it hurts.

The solution is NOT to rip it open. It is to treat it like a burn or a wound and gently gently gently give it space to come back to where it was.
  • The right shoes
    The right mattress
    The right stretches
    The right exercise
    and no crazy stunts

What we're dealing with

Here's what your spine looks like. The goal is to take the pressure off, for months if necessary, to get it to heal.

McKenzie books

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Buy a new mattress

It sounds like hype, but it's not

Worth every penny...
Tempurpedic
Accept no substitutes

more great stuff!

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by

sethgodin

Seth Godin is the bestselling author of 13 books. He writes about marketing, the spread of ideas and managing both customers and employees with respec... more »

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