#LNF Mind-Body Connection in Managing Performance Pain I remember one aerialist telling me, over a cup of coffee backstage, that the moment she stopped seeing her body as a machine and started treating it as a partner, her chronic back pain shifted. For circus performers, the mental and emotional connection to physical discomfort can’t be…
Back in my early twenties, I thought my body was invincible. I’d watch gymnasts pull off mind-bending routines and then head to the gym to try a few “easy” backbends myself. Spoiler: they weren’t easy, and my spine made sure I knew it. Over the years, I’ve learned that while gymnastics can be an incredible…
If you’ve ever caught yourself telling a teenager to “stand up straight” or “stop slouching,” you’re not alone. I’ve done it plenty of times, sometimes because I was genuinely concerned, and other times because I could see a little of my own teenage slouch in them. Back then, I had no clue how much that…
If you’ve ever felt your back tighten up after a long day at the desk or during a tough workout, you’re not alone. For years, I dealt with stiffness that seemed to creep in no matter how active I tried to be. One thing that truly changed the game for me was discovering intercostal breathing….
If you’ve been stuck in that frustrating loop of lower back pain that flares up after sitting too long or standing in one spot for hours, I get it. I used to think it was just “getting older” or “poor posture” — until I started paying attention to one of the tightest, most ignored muscle…
If you’re like me, you might’ve spent hours hunched over a screen, curled up on the couch, or stuck in traffic, unaware that your spine is quietly absorbing it all. I used to think stretching and a few deep breaths could undo the stress from daily life — until I discovered something that flipped everything:…
Wall angels. I used to think they were just another warm-up drill you’d breeze through at the gym without thinking twice. That is, until a dull ache in my mid-back and a pretty stubborn neck tightness pushed me into researching posture fixes that didn’t involve spending hours on expensive therapy or gadgets. Turns out, this…
Ever wondered if something as simple as adding a weighted vest to your walk could actually transform your spinal health? I used to think it was just another fitness gimmick until I gave it a shot myself. The results? Let’s just say my back has been sending me thank-you notes ever since. Walking is often…
Back pain can sneak into your life in the most unexpected ways. I learned this the hard way after a minor car accident left me with persistent lower back discomfort that refused to go away. Physical therapy helped, but what truly turned the tide was incorporating the McGill Big 3 exercises into my daily routine….