Re: Leg pain (hamstring, calve) and often lower back pain

[bazwaldo]

1. You said you have an exercise where you lie on your tummy and then you arch backwards? Or standing, you might put your hands on your hips and push the hips forwards? Have i got that right?

My exercises are
1. While on my back, bend knees and keep feet on floor and raise bum towards head to arch bottom half of back
2. On all fours, do a kind of snake like roll of spine from bum to shoulders. Like a Mexican wave. Start with bum by raising up and roll upwards movement up the spine and then do same but moving things down.
3. On side, right side on floor, in spooning shape, lift arm and move it towards back while looking at it but without moving torso. Then when arm is straight up, twist upper half of body to the left.
4. On my back, lift knees up to chest and hold with arms.
5. As mentioned "A new exercise I have to do is while lying on my back, raise left knee to 90 degrees and straight below the knee a few times for 30 seconds with straining too much. Also support the knee with my hands or a towel wrapped around the underneath and holding."

2. Is your years of posture considered "slouching" like a rounded back?

Not exactly. Only at the base of back and rounded concave rather than convex.

3. how are you being more vigilant about your posture? What are you doing?

Pulling my bum in/pelvis forward while standing and sitting and when I do run eventually, run with body leant forwards. No crossing legs while sitting. Sit without slouching or having feet up.

I am glad you are felling optimistic. If you feel like the traction is helping, you can try an inversion table - we get them here pretty cheap these days - one place is selling them for only $98.00 which is ridiculously cheap. Check with your doctor if you can go upside down though...this is not specific advice!!!

I'll keep it in mind and will see what they actually are ;-)