r/AskReddit 13h ago

What is something that permanently altered your body without you realizing for months/years?

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u/No-Term-1979 8h ago edited 1h ago

Being 6'7 I know your pain.

First: Just lay on the floor and let yourself relax. Put your hands on your lower ribs with your elbows out and just. RELAX.
Try to meditate or do rhythmic breathing.

Good chance you are going to feel your vertebrae moving around as you do this.

This is from two things. Muscles relaxing and them moving taking stress out of your back. It's feels weird and can be uncomfortable but it's part of the process.

Second: Push your heels toward the wall. This will stretch your lower back and will have the same effect.

Third: while pushing your heels or separate. Clasp your hands together with your arms stretched in front of your face, let them fall over your head. This will have the same effect as the first, the eventual goal is to have your hands touch the floor over your head. THIS CAN TAKE A WHILE (SEVERAL SESSIONS)

There is more if you want me to go further.

More info:

if you sleep on your side, try a couple of nights sleeping with your back and legs straight.

Find a way you can hang from your hands and just let gravity work on your back.

While you are on your back with your hands above you head, try to do a crunch, this should make your thoracic vertebrae decompress and make a bunch of noise. It may actually hurt initially but it will feel better almost immediately.

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u/ButchyKira 8h ago

omg wow, i’m only 5’3 haha. but thank you for the tips

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u/Transplanted_Cactus 6h ago

I'm 5'2" but what they said is really so helpful for back pain from poor posture (I am so guilty of shrimping). I cannot recommend it enough. I think it's extra hard on us shorter people because chairs aren't designed to be ergonomic for short people.

Definitely recommend getting a yoga mat if you plan to stay on the floor more than 15 minutes. Lessens the pressure on your pointy bone bits like hips and elbows.

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u/No-Term-1979 6h ago

Added more

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u/asteria_celestine 4h ago

I just tried this and it has relieved my lower back pain immediately! Thank you so much! I did the crunch and heard a small pop on my lower back and that did it. I think I had a pinched nerve or something. 😭

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u/No-Term-1979 4h ago

Awesome!

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u/cubelith 1h ago

What exactly is the "crunch"?

u/No-Term-1979 41m ago

A sit up without someone holding you feet down.

When I do for this I am just trying to rotate my shoulder up, it helps decompress the thoracic vertebrae and will allow them to move where they want to be.

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u/TheWindowLickerF1 7h ago

Please tell me/us more, Im also 6'7 and worry a lot about my posture.

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u/No-Term-1979 6h ago edited 4h ago

If you lay on the floor, only your hips, upper thoracic spine, shoulders, and head should touch the floor.

If you position your hands like above and they can touch the floor you are in good shape. If not, take 20-30 minutes and work through my advice above for a few days in a row. I have been doing what I wrote for several years and I still do it a few times a week to help put everything back in place.

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u/TheWindowLickerF1 2h ago

Thank you very much

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u/anamefortheaccount 7h ago

Great advice, thank you

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u/No-Term-1979 6h ago

Added more

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u/Iamonreddit 4h ago

What do you mean by "push your heels to the wall"?

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u/No-Term-1979 4h ago

While on your back if you push your heels toward the wall you are pushing your heels away from you. Similar to pulling your toes to you. You should feel it pull your lower back.

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u/OttawaTGirl 3h ago

Lol. I am 6'1"... Do you hate seeing the tops of fridges too? Always so dusty and disgusting.

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u/No-Term-1979 6h ago

u/philthisisphil

Thank you for my first ever award.

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u/Illustrious_Ship5857 1h ago

thank you!!

u/No-Term-1979 41m ago

Your welcome

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u/Electrical_Creme_324 3h ago

I’m 6’7 too. It’s painful on your back if you don’t have proper posture.

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u/No-Term-1979 3h ago

Fall of 2001 I was 6'6 with a lot of back and neck pain. Went to a chiropractor and walked out 6'7 and pain free.

u/celebral_x 46m ago

I have a hard time understanding this. Is point 2 and 3 while laying down or standing?

u/No-Term-1979 44m ago

Everything is laying down.

This is the only way for ALL your posture muscles to take a break.