Fresh air, dirt and sunshine!  I LOVE being outdoors working in my yard and garden this time of year!

Now I'll admit I don't particularly LOVE pulling weeds, but I do love how everything looks when I'm done!

As much as I enjoy it, gardening is hard work and can lead to a variety of aches and pains.  And if you're in pain you're certainly not going to enjoy yourself or the bounty your garden will bring when both you and your garden are properly cared for!  

So today, I wanted to share some of my favorite tips to help keep you gardening all summer long...without pain! 

​Keep reading for 9 of my best tips...if you have more tips to share leave a comment below!  I'm always eager to learn more tricks to make gardening more enjoyable and fun!

Good core strength is very important for a healthy and pain free back.  So, if you have back pain there is a good chance you have some weakness in your core.

In this video I’m going to share 3 basic core strengthening exercises to get you started, but don’t worry…we’re not going to be doing crunches.   

These are “beginner” level exercises and can be progressed as you get stronger, but don’t be fooled by the fact they are “beginner” exercises. 
​
These are actually very challenging for a lot of people if they are being done correctly.

​If you have lower back pain, especially lower back pain that is chronic or seems to come and go, mid-back stiffness could be causing your lower back pain.

When your thoracic spine (or mid-back) doesn’t move well it puts extra stress on your lower back.  It can put stress on your neck and shoulders too. 
​
Watch this video for 3 stretches to improve the mobility of your mid-back and help ease any lower back pain and stiffness.  

​Doing a few simple stretches like these on a regular basis can make a HUGE difference in whether or not you have back pain.  

​Do your back muscles always seem to be tight no matter what you do? 
​
If you’re like most people with back muscles that are always tight, you’ve probably tried things like heat, massage and stretching, but nothing seems to work, at least not for very long.  

​So, why are your back muscles always so tight? 

Lower back pain and stiffness is a problem that affects almost everyone at some point in their life…and usually more than once.

If you’re reading this right now, there is a good chance you are suffering with some back pain or know someone who is.  Or maybe you’ve had back pain in the past and want to prevent it from coming back. 

​So today, I’m going to share 3 of my favorite lower back stretches that can be done on the floor, on a mat, or even on your bed.

These stretches are pretty simple for most people and can be easily modified regardless of where you're starting. ​

If you are struggling to get a good night's sleep because of back pain, find it difficult to get comfortable so you can fall asleep, or find it painful to change positions in bed then this blog is for you.  

And you're not alone.  A lot of our patients with back pain struggle with this.
​
Dealing with back pain is already frustrating enough, but when you are left with no energy, have difficulty focusing during the day, and are a little cranky from lack of sleep, it makes everything worse.  

Getting enough good quality sleep is important for a lot of reasons, including helping your body recover from back pain.  So, today we’re going to share some easy, natural, drug-free solutions to help you stop back pain at night and finally get some sleep.  

​Sciatica is just one of the many reasons for Back Pain, but if you ask anyone who has or has had Sciatica, they will probably tell you it is one of the most intense painful experiences they’ve ever had.  

Yep!  Today we’re talking all about BUTTS – and BACK PAIN.
​
Glutes, gluteals, buttocks, butt cheeks, fanny, tush or backside – whatever you prefer to call to call them.  The glutes are SUPER important muscles.  They serve as key stabilizers for the lower back, pelvis, hips and knees – all the way down to the ankle and foot.

​Unfortunately, I see way too many people with what I like to call “gluteal amnesia”.  Yes, amnesia!  Because they have forgotten how to properly activate and use their gluteal muscles.  

​It’s hard to believe Black Friday is just around the corner!  That means it’s almost time for some serious shopping.  

Unfortunately, I always get a few patients that end up with new or worsening Back Pain from their Black Friday shopping spree.

So today I want to share some tips to help you avoid Back Pain with your holiday shopping.

There are many potential causes of Back Pain, but today I want to highlight something that can often be overlooked…and can also be fixed.

​That is your pelvis!

​If your pelvis is not aligned properly it can lead to Back Pain…and Hip Pain…and Knee Pain…and pelvic floor dysfunction (a.k.a. peeing your pants a little when you cough, sneeze or lift something heavy) and MORE!