EXERCISE FOR A STRAIGHTER BACK
PROBLEM
The upper back bends
forward (in older
persons this is a
common cause of high
back pain). Often
the shoulders and
shoulder blades are
also stiff.
EXERCISES 387
EXERCISE
SHEET
5
Lie face down and move the arms as shown.
This helps keep the shoulder blades and
upper back flexible.
Put a strap around the upper body
and bend backward as far as you can.
Or put pressure
against the middle
of the upper back
and have the child
try to straighten
against it.
CAUTION: Bending back like this usually bends
the lower back too much and does little or nothing
to help straighten the upper back. It may make the
problem worse.
NO!
Stay in this position while you count to 25.
Do the exercise 2 or 3 times a day.
Stay in this position while you count to 25.
Do the exercise 2 or 3 times a day.
Also, for at least half an hour a day, lie with a
rolled up towel or cloth under the middle of
the curve in your back. Breathe deeply, and
every time you breathe out, try to let your
body bend backward over the roll.
Note: Some experts believe that the exercises that bend the back
up and back, as shown above, may also help keep a mild sideways
curve of the spine (scoliosis) from getting worse. But the exercises
will not help much if the curve is severe.
disabled village children