D like Disc

DISC

D as in Disc

A thin, flat circular plate or similar object, something that we also have in our spine.  Between each vertebra is a soft, elastic structure called a spinal disc, or intervertebral disc. The vertebral disc in the spine is an interesting and unique structure.  Its primary purpose is to act as a shock absorber between adjacent vertebrae.

When we are young, the middle of the disc is more “spongy” and gets harder and harder as we get older, as a normal part of degeneration.  This is when most of the back problems start.  It is interesting to note that as you pass age 65, back problems tend not to occur as often as when we are middle-aged. Many people experience different kinds of back pain during their life, and most of the time it is the lumbar spine that causes the most discomfort.

We all know by now not to bend over to pick up something from the floor, but instead to flex our knees; to carry heavy weights evenly distributed between our arms; not to sit for long hours in front of the computer but to move around after an hour or more.  This is also true for long plane rides.

Have you ever watched what an animal -- a bird, a cat, a dog -- does after getting up in the morning or after resting for a while?  Yes, they stretch!!!   The bird spreads her wings and feet.  The cat and the dog stretch their whole body, especially their back and spine.  By the way, a very good stretch for the back is called the “cat and cow stretch” -- an oldie but goodie!  This comes to them completely naturally, a desire that we obviously, for some unknown reason, suppress.  OK, some of us do this in the morning, and some of us do this before or after jogging or other types of exercise.

Does this have something to do with good manners?  Is it not elegant to stretch in public?  You are talking, by the way, to the right person about Elegance!  If this is the case, there are no more excuses.  NIMBLE shows you the way to stretch your body and in our case, especially your spine without being noticed by anybody.  Yes, this is possible and healthy and will give you a lot of relief and more painless days in your life.  You have only to change your thinking, and to trust me, and nothing more!

By the way, is disco (aka discothèque) called this because we dance ecstatically and torture our spine and discs?  Perhaps so!!!