I am a massage therapist – this is the only stretch that can instantly cure your back pain
- It is thought that around eight million Britons suffer from painful chronic back pain
- It is the largest single cause of disability in the UK – accounting for 11% of cases
Back pain may seem like an inevitable consequence of aging.
But one massage therapist claims that one simple stretch can ease the pain that afflicts millions of us.
James Moore, from Kentucky in the US, demonstrated the ‘thread the needle’ stretch on a TikTok video that was viewed by nearly 13 million people.
It is said to open the shoulders, stretch the spine and relieve tightness in the lower neck and between the shoulder blades.
While lying flat on his stomach, Mr. Moore raises his left leg so that it is at a 90-degree angle to his right and the knee is bent.
James Moore, from Kentucky in the US, demonstrated the ‘thread the needle’ stretch on a TikTok video that was viewed by nearly 13 million people. While lying flat on his stomach, Mr. Moore raises his left leg so that it is at a 90-degree angle to his right and the knee is bent
He then uses his right hand to lift his chest slightly and tucks his left arm under his torso. As the massage therapist lowers, a wave of satisfying rips erupts from his lower back
According to The British Pain Society, around eight million Britons suffer from chronic back pain that is moderately to severely disabling
He then uses his right hand to lift his chest slightly and tucks his left arm under his torso.
As the massage therapist lowers, a wave of satisfying rips erupts from his lower back.
In the video’s description, Mr. Moore, who has three million followers, wrote, “POV: You start every day with these stretches and now your back pain is gone and you’re more pleasant to be around.”
The sound of a joint cracking in your knuckles, back, and neck is caused by gases naturally occurring in the synovial fluid — the lubricant between the joints — escaping quickly.
These gases only gradually return to the liquid, which is why it takes a while before you can crack a joint again.
Endorphins – also known as “feel good” hormones – are also said to be released when a joint bursts, giving you a feeling of satisfaction.
Proponents of back squatting say it can relieve pain and tightness. However, research shows that this may be a psychological placebo effect.
Back pain, while an annoyance to most, can be so bad that it can be a source of disability.
Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows that the number of people sick due to back and neck pain has increased by 31 percent since 2019 to more than 262,000. It said the increase in working from home since the pandemic could be to blame.
According to The British Pain Society, around eight million Britons suffer from chronic back pain that is moderately to severely disabling.
The five-second clip of Mr. Moore was praised by viewers as a “stretch that actually works.”
Some TikTok users said the simple stretch similarly popped their back, easing their pain.
Chloe Jane commented, “Oh my god, this actually worked.”
Fittonia Albienis wrote: ‘Ooooh this is good. I wasn’t prepared for my back to sound exactly like it does in the video.”
However, some users were not impressed and claimed that the stretch had the opposite result of the intended result.
Nina said, “I was out of breath and no crack satisfaction.”
Nerina wrote, “That hurts my back too much.”