HIMPower Magazine April Issue | Page 15

READER Recently, I took a long trip by bus and the seat was very uncomfortable. I noticed after the bus ride my lower back was extremely tight. I tried stretching my back and ended up straining the muscles during the process. What should I do? DR. LOMAX This is very common. When we sit or stay in one position for prolonged periods of time, muscles, joints, ligaments etc. tend to become stiff, tight etc. When we sleep, our bodies are relaxed so we generally don’t have issues with muscle strains, except for maybe in the neck area if we sleep in an awkward position for a very long time. This is generally remedied with the use of a good pillow that provides proper head and neck support. It is a good idea in general to continue to move and be active as much as possible to avoid stiffness. When you are on long bus, plane, car ride etc. it is advisable to get up and walk, stretch etc. your back and legs every hour if possible or at a minimum every two hours. This can be a challenge; however, even if you’re on a bus, train or airplane etc. it is still doable. You can even stretch your legs and torso while you’re sitting if you’re unable to get up. Keeping good posture and not slouching is also recommended. If you feel that you’ve strained your back because it was super tight and you over did it stretching it out, it is best to rest, and apply ice/cold compress to it. If it feels more spastic in nature, you can alternate between ice and heat combined with gentle stretching. And even better option is to swim for 30-60 minutes daily (walk and stretch in the pool if you can’t swim) then relax and stretch in a hot tub if you have access. The key here is to engage in frequent activity and stretching so that we remain flexible. Being active, and of course maintaining an optimal weight, will minimize potential issues when we are forced to be stationary for prolonged periods of time. Activity is the key!  Dr. Lenny Lomax is a Licensed Physician & Orthopaedic Surgeon. He defines his role of physician as being someone trusted by patients and their families. ‘Doctors are expected to heal, not cause more pain and suffering’. Dr. Lomax acknowledges that natural medications have the potential to greatly improve the public’s general health and well-being, as our country has become a nation addicted to pills, which is destroying our communities. His mission is to find a resolution to this pervasive problem by offering effective natural solutions to remedy this global problem. As he often states “I know GOD made me for this purpose. It makes my spirit full and motivates me! I am so encouraged that I have been blessed with this mission. I became a Doctor to help people and that’s exactly what I plan to do.” Guidance and opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those held by the publisher. Any information provided by Pneu- Path for Living, LLC ™ via HimPower Magazine ™ or other form of communication regarding options for personal empowerment or wellness is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The informat