Back pain. I just read an article about back pain in America. The main causes they said were sedentary lifestyle and obesity. Short term remedies cited are heat and ice, aspirin, muscle relaxants. Long term recommended agendas include exercise and weight loss. I wished that they had mentioned Tai Chi.

My experience with back pain. I began experiencing back pain when in my early twenties. By the time I was 35, there were times when a simple activity such as picking up a 2 x 4 would send me into terrible pain. One time, after lowering some solar panels off a roof, my back froze up into a knot. When I was able to get into my truck, I couldn't drive for several minutes until the muscles relaxed enough. I went straight to the clinic for muscle relaxants. Several times a year, I would experience this.

I started Tai Chi in 1989 because I wanted to practice a martial art but didn't want to punish my body as I had been with the current martial art- Karate. I also wanted a deeper dimension to my practice- something that would integrate all the elements of my life.

A surprising thing happened. I started to notice after a few years of practice that I wasn't experiencing back pain. I mean, none at all. This came as big, and welcome, surprise.

I am now 62 years old and my back is literally in better condition than it was at 30. I also noticed improvement in my sitting posture. It was more comfortable to sit up straight then to slouch. My back feels strong and straight- and pain free. I attribute this to the slow, gentle, moving, stretching, and strengthening movements of the Tai Chi sequence.

Now whenever I see someone suffering with back pain, I can't help suggesting another Way.