Monday, April 26, 2010

How a Monk Solves Back Pain

What can St Francis of Assisi teach us about alleviating back pain?

       A highlight on Standing Desks--A new option for back pain sufferers

Standing desks are a new idea for some, and an old, old idea for others.  Notice in Bellini's depiction of St. Francis of Assisi in the Desert (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Giovanni_Bellini_St_Francis_in_Ecstasy.jpg). 


Not only is St. Francis in an amazing extended position (we'll come back to that), but look in the lower right hand corner and you will find a standing desk!  He is able to stand, move, write, read, and think without the tired stance of a chair.  In your most energetic state, what position would you want to be in?  Likely, it is standing.  I've never had a patient tell me, "I was so excited, I had to sit down and slouch."

Speaking of slouching: did you notice St. Francis' excellent, extended posture.  As infants, we adapt well to curling up, and we often return to this position as we age.  Full extension (back, arms, hips, and shoulders) is rare, even for mature adults.  Yet, our bodies were made for extension.  Perhaps we could include more of this each day.


It would be valuable for us to consider a standing desk.  We could read, write, email, and even blog from an energetic position--one that allows us to move and work.

Want to dig further?: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/22/technology/personaltech/22basics.html

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