This originally appeared in an article posted on backonsite.com
My top tip for someone with persistent back pain, of course, is to meditate.
Setting aside just 15 minutes a day can make a huge impact not only on your mental outlook, but also on your actual physical health.
Meditating first thing in the morning as you start your day is ideal.
The idea is to sit or lay down. Gently close your eyes and focus on your breath. Inhale deeply through the nose and then exhale fully. Inhaling to the count of 4. Holding your breath for 4. Exhaling for 4 is a great pattern to try during meditation.
Thoughts are normal during meditation, so instead of fighting or pushing them away you just come back to the breath.
This is exactly what you do with your pain during meditation.
Instead of fighting, resisting or pushing it away, you simply let it do its thing and you just come back to focus on your breath.
Inhale in. Exhale out. Inhale. Exhale. It’s not always easy to do, but if you practice it enough, you can positively train your mind to know what to do.
And the more you practice, the easier it becomes.
The best part about it is your mind will continue to do the same when you are not meditating and you are experiencing pain.
So it will remember the great habit you created during meditation and it will simply go back to the breath.
And in time, the pain might begin to ease up or even disappear. I can attest to this myself as I used to have horrible sciatic pain.
Meditation is a powerful tool to train your mind to focus on creating what you wish to experience in your life.
