
Back Mechanic

If you have a chiropractor who recommends regular visits for months with just manipulation, they are not curing you. Studies show that for some patients with acute disc bulges, one to three manipulations may assist in recovery. The fact remains, however, that no scientific evidence exists that supports repeated manipulations as a cure for back
... See moreStuart McGill • Back Mechanic
No passive approach creates the patterns of movement, the spine stability, and hip mobility needed to remove the tissue stresses that cause pain. If
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
You will hear people state that children have the ability to deep squat and that it is dysfunctional that adults lose this ability. This rationale is used to justify performing deep squats with barbells and dumbbells. This is problematic on several levels, particularly for those with back pain. Children are not mini adults. They have
... See moreStuart McGill • Back Mechanic
Pushing yourself to a point where you begin to experience pain is not a sign you need to drive through it, but rather that you need to stop, and build a smaller set of daily goals for yourself tomorrow. Yes, it takes patience, but good things come to those who wait.
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
The trick is to stimulate the tissues to heal and gristle while not allowing the cumulative trauma to get ahead of the healing.
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
Walking is one of the most commonplace and fundamental activities inherent in our daily living. While simple to do, it is extremely and uniquely important for back health. A walking program needs to be a mandatory component of your pain elimination program, plain and simple.
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
Movement that begins from the spine predicts a poor future for back pain. For example, the person who moves with their spine first (as apposed to their hips or shoulders), when reaching to open a door needs movement training.
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
So far we have established that there is no such thing as “non-specific” back pain. Something is causing the pain, and once identified, we refer to the pain as specific.
Stuart McGill • Back Mechanic
Unfortunately, patients who have pharmaceutically numbed their pain often make matters worse in that they are able to continue using flawed and perturbed movement patterns. This makes a bad situation worse.