One way to alleviate back pain is to arch the body, as people and animals do when they stretch to relax. Lying backwards so that the front of the body is stretched will further relax the spine, with the additional benefit of freeing discs and vertebrae from the normal downward pull of gravity. As the body stretches backwards, abdominal muscles tighten and strengthen, and therefore help to take more of the load off the lower back. Arching the back reduces stress. Some studies have even suggested that this effect can reduce stress on the lower back by 50%. In the process it provides mild, passive exercise of the ligaments, tendons and musculature that surround the abdominal cavity. As a result it permits a better supply of blood to flow to all parts of the body, by utilizing the pull of gravity in different directions from those we experience in a normal upright position. The arched position places beneficial pressure on the lower back that tends to separate the vertebrae, freeing up the nerve channels that flow from the spine to help restore the blood supply to connective tissue and the organs. Arching also induces a spreading or fanning of the rib cage to produce more vital functioning of these organs. Finally, the backwards arch places gentle tension on the front part of the body, which can be highly beneficial in cases of constipation and other intestinal complaints.

Address: The Back Solution, Inc. 6281 South Park Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85706
Telephone: (520)889-3997
Fax: (520)294-4748
Website: http://www.bodybridge.com/