I am 51 and I feel your pain!

I had been sick this past week and a deep cough aggravated my lower back pain. This Saturday during our qigong exercises Sifu Li notice I was in pain and motioned me to the equipment room where he worked on my lower back. The right side was very tight. He also told me lie on my stomach, bend my knees to 90 degrees, hold knees together and bring legs to the floor side to side. He told me to do this twice a day, 16 times. The man has magic hands! I was much less tight and able to finish class with much less pain. Since many in our class have desk jobs, he told us to, stand once and awhile throughout the day and cup your elbows with your hands, behind your back while letting your head fall back. Breathe slowly in and out a few times.

I should also do standing meditation every morning. My spine seems to relax more when I focus on posture and breathing.