India

If you’re unfamiliar with the healing principles of ayurveda, the system of alternative medicine (rather, traditional medicine, according to Sanskrit culture) based on maintaining an equilibrium between the human body’s three doshas, this post on Srikant Nair’s blog will walk you through some of the basic principles of ayurveda and how they relate, specifically, to back pain. (Nair established the Kerala Ayurvedic Center called Ayuryog in Vadodara, India, which offers consultations and treatments in keeping with the traditional medicine.)

ACE, the American Council on Exercise, sponsored a study in 2007 that assessed the effects of functional fitness rehabilitation programs, aimed to help older adults remain active and independent as they age. The results were decidedly positive: read a writeup on the study, which details examples of the kinds of exercises the participants performed and tracks changes over the course of the study. The website also has a trainer search function so you can get started with a fitness program.

New York

Dr. Alex Moroz is the director of the Integrative Musculoskeletal Program at NYU’s Langone Medical Center. He specializes in rehabilitative medicine, particularly in back, neck, and joint rehabilitation, as well as acupuncture. On his personal website you can find photos, news, and articles about and written by Dr. Moroz.

California

Acupuncture Professionals in San Francisco, CA specializes in sports acupuncture and orthopedics, led by NBAO-certified (National Board of Acupuncture Orthopedics) Chris O’Donnell M.S., L.Ac, DNBAO, QME.

Colorado

Whitfield Reaves, one of the bigshots in sports medicine and acupuncture, developed Acupuncture Sports Medicine in Boulder, CO, which integrates orthopedics and acupuncture into a thorough treatment program for athletes suffering from sports injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions.

You can also read an article by Reaves titled “Low Back Pain: The Quadratus Lumborum Muscle.”

Pennsylvania

Chad Bong’s Philadelphia Sports Acupuncture institution uses a combination of massage therapy, acupuncture, targeted muscle strengthening, and stretching to treat athletes for injuries and simply to maximize their movement and activity on whatever field they play. He’s Whitfield Reaves’ right-hand man in the teaching of sports medicine acupuncture (see entry on Whit Reaves for more acupuncture resources).

The Accreditation Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine provides a comprehensive list of both master’s and doctoral programs in acupuncture, from which you might either seek a list of graduates or guidelines to becoming certified yourself, if that’s something you’re interested in.

California

The Acusport Health Center in San Diego, CA uses acupuncture to maintain general health and prevent illness as well as to treat things like sports injuries and other ailments, combined with orthopedic rehabilitation.

The company Manduka carries lightweight, foldable mats with good surface grip, as well as an array of other yoga equipment.

The company LifeLineUSA has come up with some incredibly versatile and compact equipment that make it easy to do a thorough workout at home. Their Jungle Gym is an excellent, multifaceted, and affordable piece of equipment, and they have an array of other products that make great additions to whatever else you have.

This ScienceDaily article discusses the benefits of using trekking poles to hike, reducing post- or mid-hike soreness while still allowing your muscles to work in a healthy manner.

Hoopnotica offers an intense cardio workout program using hula hoops that, in addition to being effective non-impact and fat-burning exercise, “strengthens your core and calms your mind.” You can locate a teacher near you.

The New York Times published an article about hula-hooping as a new trend in both exercise and fashion. You can now employ the versatile hoops as luggage, as meditative aides, and – if dancing’s not your thing – in group “hoop jam” sessions.

An article in Golf Magazine reports that golfers who use pushcarts both suffer fewer injuries and burn more energy than golfers who carry their clubs. Without further ado, here’s where you can find these upgraded caddies by several companies, in a number of different models to suit your needs and taste.

Bag Boy Company’s three-wheeler is collapsible and has a few other handy additions like a foot brake and a scorecard holder.

Sun Mountain’s Micro Cart also folds down and has four wheels for added stability, as well as adjustable handle height.

ClicGear models have everything from collapsibility and airless tires to a beverage holder and storage net.

Ogio Syncro offers carts and a great golf bag specifically designed to affix to a pushcart.

California

Sean Cochran offers products and programs for Golf Fitness and Performance Training, designed to help you with golfing technique as well as strength and conditioning programs that will improve your performance and health in the game.

If you’re unable to travel to a convenient clinic location, the website MyRehabExercise provides programs and exercises. Ask your physical therapist to select your exercises here, and you’ll always have access to them on your phone.

California

Matt Callison is a leader in sports medicine acupuncture. In his San Diego practice, he combines traditional Chinese medicine, sports medicine and individualized exercise programs.

The namesake and founder of the Norman Marcus Pain Institute is an author and researcher who specializes in pain medicine models. His book, End Back Pain Forever, provides a good overview of what ails you, and how to get on the road to recovery.

Physical therapist, doctor, and professor Margareta Nordin wrote Basic Biomechanics of the Musculoskeletal System, a book about the biomechanics and treatment of musculoskeletal dysfunction. Very helpful if you want to understand what really causes back pain.

Focal Upright Furniture has a great solution to the standing/sitting desk dilemma: the Locus workstation is a desk you can lean at, which “pairs the comforts of sitting with the health benefits of standing.”

Martin Keen, who designs a terrific line of outdoor footwear, saw a need and filled it. That’s using your delightfully bald noggin, Martin.

Watch the WSJ video about Focal Upright Furniture’s seats and how they strive to promote better posture.