The Unlikely Relief from Back Pain
This Thanksgiving season, as many Americans reflect on their gratitude, Mona Charen shares a personal story that might seem trivial compared to the weighty issues of politics and society. But for millions of people, back pain is a debilitating reality that can upend daily life.
For years, Charen suffered from excruciating back spasms, which would strike without warning, rendering her unable to move or even get out of bed. The pain was relentless, and despite trying various treatments – including heat therapy, massage, physical therapy, and medication – she found no relief until a personal trainer helped her discover the power of core strengthening exercises.
The science behind back pain is as fascinating as it is frustrating. Despite advances in medical imaging, many people with normal-looking spines still experience recurring episodes of debilitating pain. Charen notes that evolution scientists blame bipedalism for this phenomenon, but it's clear that our ancestors didn't exactly have the luxury of adjusting their spinal structure to accommodate a two-legged lifestyle.
The impact of back pain is staggering. According to the National Institutes of Health, 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, and 26% are currently suffering from it. The condition is the second most common reason for hospitalizations and costs approximately $250 billion annually.
While Charen's story may not be representative of all back pain sufferers, her journey highlights the potential benefits of core strengthening exercises like Pilates or Robin McKenzie's methods. While hiring a personal trainer might not be feasible for everyone, research has shown that these approaches can be life-changing for millions.
As Thanksgiving arrives, many Americans will gather around the table, free from fear of back spasms. Charen's story serves as a poignant reminder that gratitude can take many forms – even the simplest pleasures like being pain-free on a holiday can bring immense joy.
This Thanksgiving season, as many Americans reflect on their gratitude, Mona Charen shares a personal story that might seem trivial compared to the weighty issues of politics and society. But for millions of people, back pain is a debilitating reality that can upend daily life.
For years, Charen suffered from excruciating back spasms, which would strike without warning, rendering her unable to move or even get out of bed. The pain was relentless, and despite trying various treatments – including heat therapy, massage, physical therapy, and medication – she found no relief until a personal trainer helped her discover the power of core strengthening exercises.
The science behind back pain is as fascinating as it is frustrating. Despite advances in medical imaging, many people with normal-looking spines still experience recurring episodes of debilitating pain. Charen notes that evolution scientists blame bipedalism for this phenomenon, but it's clear that our ancestors didn't exactly have the luxury of adjusting their spinal structure to accommodate a two-legged lifestyle.
The impact of back pain is staggering. According to the National Institutes of Health, 80% of Americans will experience low back pain at some point in their lives, and 26% are currently suffering from it. The condition is the second most common reason for hospitalizations and costs approximately $250 billion annually.
While Charen's story may not be representative of all back pain sufferers, her journey highlights the potential benefits of core strengthening exercises like Pilates or Robin McKenzie's methods. While hiring a personal trainer might not be feasible for everyone, research has shown that these approaches can be life-changing for millions.
As Thanksgiving arrives, many Americans will gather around the table, free from fear of back spasms. Charen's story serves as a poignant reminder that gratitude can take many forms – even the simplest pleasures like being pain-free on a holiday can bring immense joy.
. Like, I know 80% of Americans are gonna experience it at some point in their lives or whatever... but isn't that just, like, super annoying? 
And don't even get me started on the cost - $250 billion annually? That's wild 
. I mean, I'm all for being grateful and whatnot, but can't we find some way to make back pain less of a thing? 
Maybe it's just me, but I think core strengthening exercises are actually kinda cool 
. I've tried 'em out with my trainer (she's super into Pilates right now) and it really does make a difference 
. So yeah, let's all just take a deep breath and try to appreciate the little things, like not having to crawl out of bed because of back spasms 
.
. WE NEED MORE RESEARCH AND Solutions LIKE CORE STRENGTHENING EXERCISES, ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN'T AFFORD TO HIRE A PERSONAL TRAINER 
. WE NEED TO START TAKING IT MORE SERIOUSLY AND FINDING CURES FOR THIS THING! 
I was talking to someone online and they said exercise is super good for back pain, but what if you're not fit or something? 
. Does anyone have any good yoga routines for beginners? 
And btw, did Mona Charen take a break from Pilates or was she doing it all the time? I wanna try out core strengthening exercises, but I don't know if I can afford personal trainers 
The way we approach our bodies and health is so different from how our grandparents did it, right? I mean, back in the day they just lived with pain, you know? Now we have all these options and treatments, but sometimes it's the simple things like exercising your core that can make a huge difference. Pilates and those other exercises might not be for everyone, but at least they're worth trying 
. It's also kinda mind-blowing to think that evolution scientists still can't pinpoint the exact reason behind all this back pain 
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OMG can you believe 80% of Americans have to deal with low back pain at some point?? 
. I'm all about trying new things, but I gotta say, core strengthening exercises seem like a game-changer 
. I mean, we're so lucky to be able to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner without worrying about our backs going out on us 
. Maybe we can all take a page from her book and prioritize our back health? 
. But at the same time, I'm super grateful she found relief through core strengthening exercises 
. And that's what I love about Charen's story – it's not about fixing something with money or technology; it's about finding life balance and taking care of ourselves 
. We can all learn from her journey and be kinder to our own backs...and minds 
.
i tried heat therapy massage and all that jazz but nothing seemed to work till i started doing yoga and core exercises my instructor said im supposed to be strengthening my abs and lower back muscles now i feel like a brand new person 
i totally get it, back pain is literally the WORST 
need to get on top of this ASAP! 
. And I love how Charen's story highlights the importance of gratitude – sometimes it's the little things in life that bring us the most joy 
. Anyways, on to the good stuff – let's get that turkey and all the fixin's without any back spasms 
. Like, what's the point of having a strong core if you're gonna still be feeling those gnarly spasms all the time 
.