The Back Place Blog

It never fails. The minute I walk into Peg Heinzelman’s store, Misty Willow Tea & Spa Essentials in Paw Paw, Mich., I go into relaxation mode. The tantalizing smells of exotic teas, imported soaps and precious essential oils … comfy chairs, beautiful gifts, shiny teapots and cups, Ikea-meets-Victoria décor and the inviting tea room in back … I just melt. And Peg isn’t just the proprietor of this gorgeous retail haven – she’s also a tea and aromatherapy expert who can set you up with just the right herbal blend for whatever ails you. And now, even if you don’t live anywhere near Paw Paw (yeah, that’s the town’s real name), Peg’s magic is available to you, too. The Back Place has started carrying Peg’s custom products and teas on our website. Some of my favorites include the Goat’s Milk Foot Soak (which my foot-massage clients love), Headache Relief Rollerball in its cool little roll-on applicator, and her soothing Muscle and Back Relief Formula. She knows essential-oil science, loves to research and experiment with new formulas and crafts custom products using all-natural ingredients: organic Nilotica shea butter, Ayurvedic herbs (including neem, tulsi and rose petal powder) and base oils derived from avocado, mango, sweet almond, grapeseed, emu and jojoba. Luscious, gentle yet powerful — her products are a joy to use. More on her teas later … In the meantime, if you’re ever in Southwest Michigan, head on over to Misty Willow Tea & Spa Essentials to experience Peg’s magic. Tell her Cathie sent you.

This was news to me: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) isn’t a disease at all, but rather a part of the normal aging of the spine. (So why do they call it a disease, anyway? More bad press for aging! Why couldn’t it be termed Normal Disc Development or something more positive-neutral like that?)

DDD is one of the most common causes of back and neck pain, and also one of the most misunderstood. What’s happening, according to experts at www.Spine-Health.com and spineuniverse.com, is that the discs (the pillow-like pads between the bones) start losing their cushioning. The collagen structure of the outer portion of your disc—the annulus fibrosus—weakens. The degenerative process also affects the water content in your discs. With DDD, the water-attracting molecules in your discs decrease, making your discs become more stiff and rigid, which restricts movement.

Supportive gear
DDD in the lumbar area can trigger chronic or acute low back pain that worsens when sitting, lifting, bending or twisting. Pain is lessened when walking, running, lying down or just changing positions. If you’re dealing with DDD pain, many experts recommend the McKenzie Method, developed by Robin McKenzie. And McKenzie himself recommends postural supports, stating: “A poor sitting posture will frequently enhance and always perpetuate the problems in patients suffering from low back pain.” He goes on to recommend the use of a back rest support to help maintain the lumbar lordosis and prevent sitting strain, according to Kim Christensen, D.C., D.A.C.R.B., C.C.S.P. “The use of external supports to reduce excessive biomechanical forces on the lumbar spine is a significant treatment approach, [and] it is one which is frequently overlooked by practitioners,” writes Christensen. “Postural supports for sitting (postural back rests or ischial lifts for chairs and car seats), standing (such as custom foot orthotics and heel lifts) and sleeping (mattresses and pillows) can greatly assist in the management of lumbar spine conditions.”

So, while your physical therapist may recommend specific exercises and stretches for DDD, don’t overlook the relief that a well-designed pillow or a comfortable therapeutic chair cushion can offer.

Core muscles are a hot topic now among physical therapists, trainers and other body experts. Why? Think of your core as your body’s mid-point: the trunk. The core muscles include transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus, the diaphragm and the pelvic floor muscles. Not only do these muscles surround, support and stabilize your spine, but they also communicate vital feedback to your nervous system. Getting strong in your core — your center of gravity — can reduce back pain, improve athletic performance, prevent injury (better balance) and even reduce urinary stress incontinence.

The Chinese knew about core stability ages ago. In massage school we learned a little Tai Chi, including the concept of dantien, the center of balance in the body located about three finger widths below the navel. In Tai Chi, it is said that “the source of the posture lies in the waist” and “the source of the will is in the waist.” The waist is considered the commander of the body.

A great way to improve core strength is to use exercise balls. As you try to keep your balance, you’re activating all those muscles and improving their reactivity. Another great core strengthener is Pilates. Of course, with any exercise program, you’re going to want to maintain a gradual pace, maintain proper form and stop if you feel pain.

Okay, somehow our previous blog disappeared … so here we are in a new format. Here’s the quick intro: I’m Cathie Schau, a massage therapist and an assistant for The Back Place’s online store. Married, two kids, one dog, one cat and two foster kittens. Enough about me! Why a Back Place blog? Because there is SO MUCH cool stuff to tell you about how to relieve pain and support your body’s wellness! I’ll let you know about stuff I come across that could help you feel better all over. Pain is a pain. At The Back Place, we are all about RELIEF. Please comment, ask questions and join the conversation!