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back pain--exercise ---the key!

updated sat 10 nov 01

 

Susan Fox-Hirschmann on mon 5 nov 01


As a potter and personal trainer, i will stress to all of you the importance
of EXERCISE to keep you all healthy and capable of doing the work we all
love. This means a balanced program, of cardiovascular
(aerobic) exercise, minimum 20 minutes 4 times a week, as well as some
weight (resistance) exercises, and then, and only when the muscles are
warmed up, some gentle stretching. OF COURSE you should never begin any
exercise program without the approval of your doctor.

The key to overcoming back pain, i think, at least if it is a muscle issue
(and not discs) is to strengthen your CORE_----that is your chest, abdominal
muscles as well as all your back muscles and Glutes (meaning rear end!) But
the best way, as i said above is with a BALANCED program, that strengthens
the entire body, using every muscle group. Of course, i recommended working
with a trainer that understands the body, and the proper form and amount of
weight you should use for each exercise. This means using easily managable
weights in the proper way, for exercises that will use all your muscle
groups, large as well as smaller muscles.
Doing only part of the body, sets you up for possible muscle imbalances,
that could cause other injuries.

I look as exercise as a "warm up" to my work, that gets me warmed for
throwing pots---and hope to be able to do it the rest of my life. It has
just become as way of life for me, and also is great as far as "stress"
management. When you are sweating hard, it is really difficult to think
about things that have been worrying you!!!

So if i can help any of you--feel free to email me off list, if you like
susan fox hirschmann
annandale, va


_________________________________________________________________
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Ed Kraft on mon 5 nov 01


Susan

I agree that exercise and strengthening those back mussels is the long term
solution. My twist on that theme is to meditate. I meditate for a minimum of
1hr daily. Holding your spine in a strait line for that long really
strengthens those mussels. Plus there is the added benefit of a calm mind.
Ed
----- Original Message -----
From: "Susan Fox-Hirschmann"
To:
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 1:11 PM
Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!


> As a potter and personal trainer, i will stress to all of you the
importance
> of EXERCISE to keep you all healthy and capable of doing the work we all
> love. This means a balanced program, of cardiovascular
> (aerobic) exercise, minimum 20 minutes 4 times a week, as well as some
> weight (resistance) exercises, and then, and only when the muscles are
> warmed up, some gentle stretching. OF COURSE you should never begin any
> exercise program without the approval of your doctor.
>
> The key to overcoming back pain, i think, at least if it is a muscle issue
> (and not discs) is to strengthen your CORE_----that is your chest,
abdominal
> muscles as well as all your back muscles and Glutes (meaning rear end!)
But
> the best way, as i said above is with a BALANCED program, that strengthens
> the entire body, using every muscle group. Of course, i recommended
working
> with a trainer that understands the body, and the proper form and amount
of
> weight you should use for each exercise. This means using easily
managable
> weights in the proper way, for exercises that will use all your muscle
> groups, large as well as smaller muscles.
> Doing only part of the body, sets you up for possible muscle imbalances,
> that could cause other injuries.
>
> I look as exercise as a "warm up" to my work, that gets me warmed for
> throwing pots---and hope to be able to do it the rest of my life. It has
> just become as way of life for me, and also is great as far as "stress"
> management. When you are sweating hard, it is really difficult to think
> about things that have been worrying you!!!
>
> So if i can help any of you--feel free to email me off list, if you like
> susan fox hirschmann
> annandale, va
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

tomsawyer on tue 6 nov 01


Ed,
There is a saying that "fools jump in where wise men fear to tread". At the
risk of being a fool, I just do not believe that one can strengthen muscles
by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week. At age 67, I still bench press
300lbs. I work with weights 2 days and run the third day. Since I've now
plunged in, I also do not believe one can cure diseases once established by
mediation. In my 25 years of oncology practice, I participated in the care
of approximately 10,000 patients; hundreds of patients with advanced disease
tried meditation and funky diets and I never saw a single success. I 've
read anecdotes of success but never saw one in person. My parents named me
well "doubting" Thomas. Least I get accused of not being open minded, I once
took a course lasting several months dealing with hypnosis. I do believe
that it has some merit for pain relief and self relaxation but not for
curing diseases or building muscles. I wish it were that easy.
Tom Sawyer
tsawyer@cfl.rr.com

Ed Kraft on tue 6 nov 01


Tom,

With your attitude it is no wonder you can not see. I also believe that
negativity begets negativity.

It seems that the ourpose of aging and death is to clear the the air for new
ideas. I hope you injoy your remaining life. May it be healthy and happy
with your accomplishments. Ed
----- Original Message -----
From: "tomsawyer"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 9:03 AM
Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!


> Ed,
> There is a saying that "fools jump in where wise men fear to tread". At
the
> risk of being a fool, I just do not believe that one can strengthen
muscles
> by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week. At age 67, I still bench press
> 300lbs. I work with weights 2 days and run the third day. Since I've now
> plunged in, I also do not believe one can cure diseases once established
by
> mediation. In my 25 years of oncology practice, I participated in the care
> of approximately 10,000 patients; hundreds of patients with advanced
disease
> tried meditation and funky diets and I never saw a single success. I 've
> read anecdotes of success but never saw one in person. My parents named me
> well "doubting" Thomas. Least I get accused of not being open minded, I
once
> took a course lasting several months dealing with hypnosis. I do believe
> that it has some merit for pain relief and self relaxation but not for
> curing diseases or building muscles. I wish it were that easy.
> Tom Sawyer
> tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
>
>
____________________________________________________________________________
__
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
melpots@pclink.com.
>

Earl Brunner on tue 6 nov 01


Hey Tom, don't worry about it. Alternative medicine may have it's
place, and even do some good, but results should still be provable by
scientific method. I have had a bunch of suggestions since I came down
with arthritis. Some things do seem to work, others have no provable
data to indicate that they do.

Most of the "new ideas" are really old ideas. Every generation has "new
ideas". Every generation thinks it knows more than the last. Modern is
overrated.

Ed Kraft wrote:

> Tom,
>
> With your attitude it is no wonder you can not see. I also believe that
> negativity begets negativity.
>
> It seems that the ourpose of aging and death is to clear the the air for new
> ideas. I hope you injoy your remaining life. May it be healthy and happy
> with your accomplishments. Ed
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "tomsawyer"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2001 9:03 AM
> Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!
>
>
>
>> Ed,
>> There is a saying that "fools jump in where wise men fear to tread". At
>
> the
>
>> risk of being a fool, I just do not believe that one can strengthen
>
> muscles
>
>> by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week. At age 67, I still bench press
>> 300lbs. I work with weights 2 days and run the third day. Since I've now
>> plunged in, I also do not believe one can cure diseases once established
>
> by
>
>> mediation. In my 25 years of oncology practice, I participated in the care
>> of approximately 10,000 patients; hundreds of patients with advanced
>
> disease
>
>> tried meditation and funky diets and I never saw a single success. I 've
>> read anecdotes of success but never saw one in person. My parents named me
>> well "doubting" Thomas. Least I get accused of not being open minded, I
>
> once
>
>> took a course lasting several months dealing with hypnosis. I do believe
>> that it has some merit for pain relief and self relaxation but not for
>> curing diseases or building muscles. I wish it were that easy.
>> Tom Sawyer
>> tsawyer@cfl.rr.com
>>

--
Earl Brunner
http://coyote.accessnv.com/bruec/
bruec@anv.net

pammyam on tue 6 nov 01


I know nothing about sciatica, but this talk seems to tie in
with yoga. Take a class or few with a good instructor.
Never try to "compete"--some people can touch their noses to
their knees anytime, and some may only be able to induce
more than a slight curve to the back. The point is truly
going through the motions. Never try to do more than is
really comfortable, and you probably won't hurt yourself. A
good instructor will tell the class which exercises might be
modified or omitted for various conditions (such as
hypertension). If you cannot reach your feet, you modify
the position or use a looped towel or something, but you
never, never, strain (assuming I understand what I think I
understand.) When you get a simple and basic routine under
your belt, it is a friend for life. I do nearly everything
sporadically, and while I like the results of working out, I
don't enjoy the process. When I remember to do yoga, my
body says "thank you, thank you, thank you." It's the
closest thing to a professional massage. I've tried
intermittently to learn to meditate and personally have
problems getting my mind quiet for moments, let alone an
hour, but after a simple yoga routine, I can almost fall
asleep in the lock pose (that thing where legs are sort of
crossed Indian fashion, fingers of one hand around fingers
of other wrist and leaning forward with forehead to the
floor.) It is by nature of the routine a meditative
process. Seems to me that being able to quiet one's mind
through meditation would be a sure start to being able to
consciously relax the muscles.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Ed Kraft"
To:
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 7:56 PM
Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!


: Susan
:
: I agree that exercise and strengthening those back mussels
is the long term
: solution. My twist on that theme is to meditate. I
meditate for a minimum of
: 1hr daily. Holding your spine in a strait line for that
long really
: strengthens those mussels. Plus there is the added benefit
of a calm mind.
: Ed
: ----- Original Message -----
: From: "Susan Fox-Hirschmann"
: To:
: Sent: Monday, November 05, 2001 1:11 PM
: Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!
:
:
: > As a potter and personal trainer, i will stress to all
of you the
: importance
: > of EXERCISE to keep you all healthy and capable of doing
the work we all
: > love. This means a balanced program, of cardiovascular
: > (aerobic) exercise, minimum 20 minutes 4 times a week,
as well as some
: > weight (resistance) exercises, and then, and only when
the muscles are
: > warmed up, some gentle stretching. OF COURSE you should
never begin any
: > exercise program without the approval of your doctor.
: >
: > The key to overcoming back pain, i think, at least if it
is a muscle issue
: > (and not discs) is to strengthen your CORE_----that is
your chest,
: abdominal
: > muscles as well as all your back muscles and Glutes
(meaning rear end!)
: But
: > the best way, as i said above is with a BALANCED
program, that strengthens
: > the entire body, using every muscle group. Of course, i
recommended
: working
: > with a trainer that understands the body, and the proper
form and amount
: of
: > weight you should use for each exercise. This means
using easily
: managable
: > weights in the proper way, for exercises that will use
all your muscle
: > groups, large as well as smaller muscles.
: > Doing only part of the body, sets you up for possible
muscle imbalances,
: > that could cause other injuries.
: >
: > I look as exercise as a "warm up" to my work, that gets
me warmed for
: > throwing pots---and hope to be able to do it the rest of
my life. It has
: > just become as way of life for me, and also is great as
far as "stress"
: > management. When you are sweating hard, it is really
difficult to think
: > about things that have been worrying you!!!
: >
: > So if i can help any of you--feel free to email me off
list, if you like
: > susan fox hirschmann
: > annandale, va
: >
: >
: >
____________________________________________________________
_____
: > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at
http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp
: >
: >
:
____________________________________________________________
________________
: __
: > Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
: >
: > You may look at the archives for the list or change your
subscription
: > settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
: >
: > Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached
at
: melpots@pclink.com.
: >
:
:
____________________________________________________________
__________________
: Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
:
: You may look at the archives for the list or change your
subscription
: settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
:
: Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached
at melpots@pclink.com.

Jeremy McLeod on tue 6 nov 01


tomsawyer wrote:

> Ed,
> There is a saying that "fools jump in where wise men fear to tread". At the
> risk of being a fool, I just do not believe that one can strengthen muscles
> by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week.

What I can say in this realm is that a bodybuilder friend who is also a meditator
did an interesting experiment on himself some years ago.

He designed a series of exercises that would increase the bulk of a particular
part of his anatomy. He did those exercises physically for three days and
measured
the results. He then continued the exercises but did them in his imagination
whilst
meditating and did so for a week or so. At the end of the period he measured
again
and experienced continued increase in the bulk and tone of the muscle system in
question.

Some researchers have done interesting work wiring people to record subtle muscle
impulses and recorded the responses of people watching others in action. In this
case
it was audience members at a dance performance. It was discovered that the
audience
was experiencing subtle motion in muscle systems analagous to those being used by
the dancers they were watching.

Guess I'm wondering out loud just how "impossible" it might be to increase
muscle tone in ways other than workin' up a sweat.

Jeremy

Marta M. Gloviczki on wed 7 nov 01


dear ed kraft,
i am sorry if i misunderstood your post --see below--,
but i cannot believe, that in the name of meditation someone can be so mean
to a fellow clayarter.
please correct me if i didnt read well your purpose of answering tom`s post.
marta gloviczki
rochester,mn

On Tue, 6 Nov 2001 07:32:49 -0800, Ed Kraft wrote:

>Tom,
>
>With your attitude it is no wonder you can not see. I also believe that
>negativity begets negativity.
>
>It seems that the ourpose of aging and death is to clear the the air for
new
>ideas. I hope you injoy your remaining life. May it be healthy and happy
>with your accomplishments. Ed

>----- Original Message -----
>From: "tomsawyer"

>> Ed,
>> There is a saying that "fools jump in where wise men fear to tread". At
>the
>> risk of being a fool, I just do not believe that one can strengthen
>muscles
>> by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week. At age 67, I still bench press
>> 300lbs. I work with weights 2 days and run the third day. Since I've now
>> plunged in, I also do not believe one can cure diseases once established
>by
>> mediation. In my 25 years of oncology practice, I participated in the
care
>> of approximately 10,000 patients; hundreds of patients with advanced
>disease
>> tried meditation and funky diets and I never saw a single success. I 've
>> read anecdotes of success but never saw one in person. My parents named
me
>> well "doubting" Thomas. Least I get accused of not being open minded, I
>once
>> took a course lasting several months dealing with hypnosis. I do believe
>> that it has some merit for pain relief and self relaxation but not for
>> curing diseases or building muscles. I wish it were that easy.
>> Tom Sawyer
>> tsawyer@cfl.rr.com

Marta M. Gloviczki on wed 7 nov 01


On Tue, 6 Nov 2001 09:03:29 -0800, tomsawyer wrote:

>I just do not believe that one can strengthen muscles
>by meditation. I exercies 7 days a week. At age 67, I still bench press
>300lbs.

congratulations! it seams that you are not only healthy and strong
phisically but your mind and brain (and heart) are on the right track also!
arent we lucky that on clayart we have experts of other fields?
really enjoyed your post. thank you.
marta gloviczki
rochester,mn

John Forstall on wed 7 nov 01


Jeremy wrote: Guess I'm wondering out loud just how "impossible" it might be
to increase
muscle tone in ways other than workin' up a sweat.

Man, I love that kind of talk! There's got to be a way to stay fit without
going through all that agony. I think science is making a big mistake by
not studying cats. Cats stay fit all of their long lives, and I have never
seen a single cat exercise. You can throw a bucket of cold water on a
sleeping cat and he'll leap six feet into the air without the slightest
preparation. Yet, you could never get a cat interested in herding sheep,
or pulling a sled, and they don't seem to need such extremes, or anything
else. Now dogs are different. They are like us, workers. They need to be
exercised. At least modern dogs do. Maybe this need for exhaustion is
associated with intelligence. I've heard that the Border Collie is the
smartest of dogs and they need the most strenuous exercise. Also heard of a
Border Collie so smart he was trained to play poker. However, he never
could be broken from waging his tail when he got a good hand. You can see
that I just don't know, but I can say clearly that I hate exercise as much
as any cat in this country, or any other country.
John
(John Forstall, Pensacola, FL.)

Paul Taylor on fri 9 nov 01


Dear John and All

I can support john with my favorite quote from J K Chesterton " when
ever I feel like exercise I just lie down until the feeling passes".
--

-- Regards from Paul Taylor
http://www.anu.ie/westportpottery

"If I was not the reincarnation of Groucho
Marks, I would have been put in an asylum years ago".

> From: John Forstall
> Reply-To: Ceramic Arts Discussion List
> Date: Wed, 7 Nov 2001 20:28:17 -0600
> To: CLAYART@LSV.CERAMICS.ORG
> Subject: Re: Back Pain--EXERCISE ---the key!
>
> Jeremy wrote: Guess I'm wondering out loud just how "impossible" it might be
> to increase
> muscle tone in ways other than workin' up a sweat.
>
> Man, I love that kind of talk! There's got to be a way to stay fit without
> going through all that agony. I think science is making a big mistake by
> not studying cats. Cats stay fit all of their long lives, and I have never
> seen a single cat exercise. You can throw a bucket of cold water on a
> sleeping cat and he'll leap six feet into the air without the slightest
> preparation. Yet, you could never get a cat interested in herding sheep,
> or pulling a sled, and they don't seem to need such extremes, or anything
> else. Now dogs are different. They are like us, workers. They need to be
> exercised. At least modern dogs do. Maybe this need for exhaustion is
> associated with intelligence. I've heard that the Border Collie is the
> smartest of dogs and they need the most strenuous exercise. Also heard of a
> Border Collie so smart he was trained to play poker. However, he never
> could be broken from waging his tail when he got a good hand. You can see
> that I just don't know, but I can say clearly that I hate exercise as much
> as any cat in this country, or any other country.
> John
> (John Forstall, Pensacola, FL.)
>
> ______________________________________________________________________________
> Send postings to clayart@lsv.ceramics.org
>
> You may look at the archives for the list or change your subscription
> settings from http://www.ceramics.org/clayart/
>
> Moderator of the list is Mel Jacobson who may be reached at
> melpots@pclink.com.