For years I suffered from chronic back pain due to unmanaged scoliosis
Scoliosis: an abnormal lateral curvature of the spine
How I managed back pain in the past?
Pain medication.
How I manage back pain now?
Stretching.
What caused my back pain?
When I was 14 years old I had a considerable growth spurt in a short amount of time (11cm in one year). My body had a hard time keeping up with this sudden growth spurt and I was diagnosed with scoliosis.
The side effects began in my early 20's
- Excruciating sciatic nerve pain
- Lower back pain
- Muscle spasms
- Anxiety and stress
The turning point for me
In 2013 my back pain was intolerable and I no longer wanted to rely on medication to relieve the pain I was experiencing every day.
So I began seeing a chiropractor for regular spinal adjustments along with gentle daily stretching, and that's when things started to change.
How stretching changed my life
The abnormal curve and rotation of my spine caused the left side of my back to seize up.
Until I dedicated time for stretching, I had absolutely no idea how tight my body was. Little did I know that my lack of flexibility was heavily impacting my scoliosis.
The sciatic nerve pain and lower back spasms I was experiencing were relieved almost immediately when I began focusing on stretching out my hip flexors, hamstrings, and glutes.
Stretching has since become a gentle way to connect with my body and notice which muscles require the most attention. By keeping up a regular stretching routine I have been able to take control of my scoliosis and say goodbye to the pain and spasms I was experiencing every day.
At times it can be comforting to believe 'everything happens for a reason' and I feel my experience with scoliosis allowed Get Bendy to be born.
I couldn't find a stretching guide that I could repeat daily from home so I deferred my Law degree and started seeking answers. Fast forward a little and Get Bendy is being used by people in over 100 countries around the world to stretch their bodies and their minds.
I hope it can help you too!
A lot of aches and pains are caused by repetitive movements or long periods of standing and sitting. However it is important to firstly get your body assessed by a health professional (eg. chiropractor / osteopath / physiotherapist) to see what is causing your pain.
Once you have been given the all clear you can start stretching with Get Bendy.
I recommend the Get Bendy Poster + Hanger to get started.
