Unfortunately,  I am an expert in overcoming back pain.

I am hopeful that some of my experiences can benefit you, especially if you are suffering from chronic aches and pains.  Or maybe you’ll find that using some of these tools may increase your athletic performance.

As usual, I am not a doctor.  See your doctor for all of your medical needs.  This is an article about what I experience with foam rollers and other health maintenance tools.

My Story Of My Back Pains

I’ve been seeing a chiropractor, on and off, for about 25 years.  Many years ago, I had a serious biking accident.  I fell over the handlebars, landing on my head.  I ripped part of my sternocleidomastoid away from my skull.  X-rays were negative for fractures.  For a few days the only way I could be comfortable was on my knees in front of my recliner, with the foot rest on my belly and my face in the seat of the chair.  I did go to a chiropractor who seemed spooked to adjust me.  I saw him a couple of times and I was slowly getting better.  A few months later, I ended up having these weird headaches that started at the base of my skull and moved up over the top of my head to my forehead.  I finally went to a different chiropractor, and after one adjustment, I was significantly better.  I continued seeing this new chiropractor for wellness care.  And although I still have a hard little lump of scar tissue, I have full range of motion and consider myself 100% recovered from that injury.

Now, skip ahead a number of years, and I was T-boned by some moron driver doing a 360 out of a parking lot.  Stupid driver and stupid maneuver.   This was not a serious accident.  However, I got the typically massive soreness in my neck within about 12 hours, typical of whiplash.  Filed an insurance claim – saw the newer chiropractor – saw a massage therapist, too.  In total, I had about 6 weeks of treatments.

Even though I was in pain for a good number of weeks after that car accident, I can say that after all those treatments, I came away the healthiest and strongest (my back and neck) I had felt in years.

Perform Basic Maintenance On Yourself With A Foam Roller

Again, I am going to mention Becoming A Supple Leopard by Dr. Kelly Starrett.  The premise of his book is that all human beings should be able to perform basic maintenance on themselves.  I believe that.  And to help maintain my back’s health, I have employed a number of devices. [Read more…] about My Back Is Killing Me: Which Foam Roller Is Right For My Back Pain