Preventing Back Pain with Belly Dancing.
by Dr. Alex Pozhitsky

From a chiropractor's point of view, the precise movements of Belly Dancing combine aerobic exercise with stretching and strengthening of hundreds of muscles in the body. The neck moves and the shoulders move and the chest lifts and the diaphragm lifts. The pelvis goes up and down. It's soft for the joints and yet it's very energetic and very aerobic.

Back and joints pains are relieved. During the dance, the movements of hip drops, circles, figure eights, and shimmies put the joints and ligaments in the lower back and hip through a full range of gentle, repetitive motion. This movement helps increase the flow of synovial fluid (nature's lubricant) in these joints. When movements are done properly, the pelvis is tipped forward, or tucked somewhat; a neutral position that can help prevent lower back problems. This can help relieve stress to the back, counteracting the almost constant compression of the disks that occurs from sitting and a sedentary lifestyle. These toned muscles improve posture and help prevent back pain that can be caused by the unnatural curving forward of the spine that occurs when muscle groups are weak (lordosis).