In July, the New York Times ran an article called “Spinal Trap,” in which the author reviewed various medical approaches to back pain. Doctors reported that available data showed that not only did cortisone injections fail to treat lower back pain in the long run, it might be exacerbating the problem.

Since most adults develop an aching back at some point… having some back pain… should be met with acknowledgment, patient, and, even more important, a change in lifestyle, particularly exercising more.

The article goes on to cite studies regarding increased movement, including yoga, Pilates, and stretching classes. “Each provide[s] some people with pain relief… [none] is superior to the others.”

And, of course, to note the obvious, the piece ends with an acknowledgement that “perhaps all of them work, to some degree, simply by distracting people.” So next time your back aches, whether from shoveling snow or spending too much time at a desk, what better distraction than the movement, community, and fun offered at Six Degrees?