Yes law school can be emotionally challenging, but nobody really warns you about the physical side of it. You know what I'm talking about; the stiff back from carrying your books and the sore back and neck from reading for long periods of time.
I started experiencing back and neck pain in the fall. I went to the chiropractor when it began to impact my sleep. I did not expect my chiropractor to tell me that the root of my pain is school. Spending those long hours hunched over my book and laptop came with a price. Apparently, the neck and back pain is from losing the natural curve in my neck. (see this link for more information) My back pain was also from a combination of the school's seats and carrying my books around.
Below are some tips on how to help prevent neck and back pain while in school.
#1 Lean back
My chiropractor gave me a helpful tip for preventing additional loss of the neck curve. I am losing the natural curve in my neck from looking down too much. To counter act looking down, he suggested rolling up a hoodie and placing it behind my neck while I am laying on the edge of my bed. (see photo below) If you do this make sure that your neck is on edge of the bed and you do this for at least 15 minutes. This is perfect to do when you call family/friends to catch up or watching Suits.
#2: Pillow Talk
Another way to prevent neck pain is by introducing this pillow to your bed. This contoured pillow allows you to make adjustments while mold cervical vertebra improve brain blood circulation while effectively supporting your neck, head, hands, and shoulders.
#3: Sit On It
If you find your class or library seat is uncomfortable, try a pad. A fellow classmate has a back injury and he brings this in. It is so comfortable that my classmates and I have bought one because, let's face it, majority of the time we are sitting in class. Why not make class or studying more comfortable if that is what we do majority of the time? The cushion is discrete so it is not noticeable.
#4: Elevate
The next tip is to elevate your computer and books. Throughout the semester you will notice students bringing in book stands and elevating their computers with either their books or a stand. Check out this book stand and this computer stand. I promise you that these are life saviors since it will take the strain off your neck from always having to look down. Additional benefit is that the book stand makes referring back and forth between your book and laptop a breeze since they are both at the same eye level.
#5: Bag It
I think we all can agree that our backs are sore after we take off our backpacks. On days when I have more than 3 books in my backpack, I divide my books, notebooks, and laptop between my backpack and a tote bag. Some people prefer using a rolling backpack to totally reduce the stress on the back. I personally prefer my backpack and Longchamp bag. I swear by my Longchamp bag because its washable, durable, and stylish.
#6: Beeeeend and Snap!
If you experience back and neck pain that does not go away or if you need an immediate, temporary fix, go to your nearest chiropractor. A lot of chiropractors will take X-rays and come up with a plan that is unique to your situation. For example, my chiropractor was able to see the loss in the curve of my neck and know that electric shock would help take a lot of the pain away. Additionally, chiropractors tend to have specials for students.
#7: Namaste
Lastly, try yoga! Yoga has great health benefits that include reducing back and neck pain. I used to be an avid hot yoga fan before law school because it was a great way to stretch my muscles and it helped with my back problems.
Enjoy your weekend!
xxx