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Release Your Back Pain with Meditation

by Laurie Desjardins

It may start with a stiff lower back when you wake each morning. Or perhaps you were involved in a car accident. Weight gain, aging, genetics -- all these are common causes of back pain. But whatever the source, it can significantly reduce your quality of life.
A 2007 article published in the American Medical Association's online journal, "Virtual Mentor," revealed that 80 percent of all Americans suffer some degree of back trouble at some point in their lives, at a cost of $20 billion to $50 billion a year.
While many may indeed require medical treatment, medication or other conventional methods may offer only limited relief. And others may have only periodic or light discomfort and don't need extreme treatment. If you fall into one of these categories, simple meditation techniques might be all that you need to ease your pain.
Follow these steps to help your body release pain and stress and accept relaxation and peace.
Build a good meditation foundation
Meditation techniques can be difficult to master when you first start. It's hard to clear your mind of the stresses of the day. But don't give up. Remember, meditating is a skill that requires practice. The more you do it, the better you get and the more quickly you will be able to reach a higher level of relaxation. And reaching a true relaxed, meditative state is worth the effort.
Make a routine of your meditation. Whether once a day or once a week, dedicate a specific time and place to practice your relaxation techniques. Use your surroundings to your advantage; a Zen-like retreat is not necessary. Many have found inner peace sitting in a darkened walk-in closet or on the cool bathroom tile.
Next, eliminate distractions. Close the door, turn off the phone and make sure your family knows your routine and respects it.
Finally, let your mind relax. Leave your mental lists at the door. Don't worry about what to make for dinner. You will return to that world soon enough.
Find the tools that work for you
A meditation tool can help you get into a relaxed state more quickly. This can be anything that will help you focus and that you can incorporate into your meditation techniques. Patterned breathing, music, chanting, or even silence are commonly used tools. Or you might prefer a more tangible tool, such as a lit candle, meditation stones or a Zen Stick.
Once you've chosen your tool, learn to use it correctly and effectively. Again, practice is key. The repetition and total focus on your tool will help you reach a relaxed state. For instance, the Zen Stick is a smooth, buffed stick that you toss and catch with your eyes closed while you maintain a focused breathing. Stress will release itself as your body and mind work together in total accord.
Make it a full-body treatment
In addition to relieving back pain, meditation techniques will benefit your entire body. Once you perfect your routine, you can easily use it anywhere. By engaging your relaxation techniques, you can quickly cultivate peace in your daily life and maintain evenness between mind and body. Research consistently shows that meditation on a regular basis helps people better cope with pain.
Back problems may continue to be in your future, but by using proper meditation and relaxation techniques, you can greatly improve your outlook for a healthier, pain-free body.

About the Author

Laurie Desjardins is a meditation expert and creator of the Zen Stick relaxation tool. Don't let chronic pain slow you down. Take back your body by adding regular meditation to your routine. Visit http://www.SleepingTiger.org to get your Zen Stick today.


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