In life, sometimes our greatest challenges end up leading us to our most valuable lessons. That was certainly the case for me when an unexpected back injury abruptly ended my college football career. At the time, it felt like everything I had worked for was slipping through my fingers. Little did I know, this injury would be a turning point that not only introduced me to the world of physical therapy but also set me on a lifelong journey of health, healing, and helping others.
Physical therapy became my path to recovery and taught me that our bodies are incredibly resilient when given the right care and attention. Years later, I’m still working to maintain my back health, even after being told I might need spine surgery. And the best part? Today, I feel stronger than ever.
The Power of Physical Therapy in Back Recovery
One of the core concepts I learned in physical therapy is the importance of maintaining the “stack” of the body. This term refers to properly aligning your head, rib cage, and pelvis. Imagine a snowman where each ball is stacked neatly on top of the other. If one of the balls starts rolling out of place, the entire snowman is at risk of falling. Similarly, when any part of our alignment gets disrupted—whether it’s the head, rib cage, or pelvis—it can lead to back pain.
An inability to maintain the stack is a common problem for people recovering from back injuries. Through physical therapy, I learned exercises to restore and maintain this balance, ensuring that my body remains in safe positions even during challenging movements.
3 Exercises to Maintain Back Health
I’ve incorporated many exercises into my routine over the years, but these three drills have been particularly helpful as of late:
1. Kettlebell Pullover
2. Physioball Rollout
3. Wall-Supported Bear March
These three exercises have become staples in my warm-up routine. They not only help me maintain my back health but also prepare my body for more intense workouts by ensuring that my core is activated and my stack is on point!
Join Me for a Free Back Pain Workshop!
If you’ve ever struggled with back pain or found it difficult to train without back discomfort, I want to help. Join me for a FREE workshop where I’ll share my “go-to” drills that can help you reduce back pain and strengthen your body.
– When: Saturday, October 5th at 9 AM
– Where: Cohen Health and Performance-McLean
During this session, we’ll dive deep into these exercises, as well as other essential physical therapy techniques, to help you get your body back on track. Whether you’ve had a back injury in the past or are simply looking to optimize your health, this workshop will give you the tools you need to succeed.
Spots are limited—there are only 15 available, so don’t wait to sign up! If you’re ready to eliminate back pain for good and take control of your health, this is the perfect opportunity.
Click HERE for more information and to reserve your spot.
