No Pain is Gain
By Jen Poth

Is your body in a winter slump? Do you find that your posture could use some uplifting of its own? When sitting, the pelvis is put into a posterior or backward tilt, straightening the lumbar curve and causing compression of the front portion of the discs between the vertebrae. This can potentially cause pain and damage to the discs. One way of overcoming this is to practice seated pelvic tilts.

Sitting on the edge of your seat, pull your navel toward your spine and curve the lower back toward your backrest. Your stomach should be scooped to form a "C." This should put your pelvis in an exaggerated posterior tilt. Now, arch your back, pressing your naval and small of the back away from the backrest. Holding the arch for three seconds, tighten the abdominal muscles. This should pull the navel toward the spine.

Release the arch slightly, then arch again, holding for three seconds. Repeat the arch and release 20 to 30 times. Remember to keep your abdominals tight and supporting throughout the set.

To find more useful back care tips, sign-up for our online backcare course by e-mailing us at info@bizxcel.com or call us at 613.342.2200.

Preparing for Greatness provides tips in order to improve your health and wellness at work and at home.

Jen Poth, has a Bachelor of Education in Kinesiology, giving her a basis in educational and sport psychology, sociology, nutrition and wellness, and physiology, among other areas of physical and mental health and wellness. As part of BizXcel, she has helped clients go from knowing they should make changes, to believing that they could make those changes and then, actually making those changes happen.