I had a couple of weeks away from the gym and doing some of my regular streaming exercises and noticed my back is getting a bit stiff. I'm back to stretching now and it helps a lot.

Last year I bought a couple of the DVDs released by Miranda Esmonde-White to try her Essentrics program - it's an elaborate stretching routine with the goal of reducing pain. During the summer I subscribed to her streaming service ($15 if you go through her site then log on over the Amazon Fire Stick; it's $20 a month if you join using the Fire Stick, so don't give the extra to Amazon if you can avoid it!) I feel so much better, and in particular my neck isn't stiff like it used to be. Driving and looking over my shoulder - I feel like I can actually turn farther and see better now. And the lower back feels much better.