Exercise for Back Pain

Lower back pain can be debilitating for many, however the reluctance to go see the doctor seems prevalent. If the pain is significant, one should always see a doctor as the situation could likely get worse without treatment and pain relief. However, there is a lot people can do in their everyday lives to lessen the pain.



First and foremost is the dreaded word for many: exercise. Specifically, cardio exercise, to condition your heart and other muscles, maintain health, and speed recovery. Equally as important are strengthening exercises, focusing on the back stomach and leg muscles. Lastly, stretching exercises are important to keep muscles and other supporting tissues flexible and less prone to injury. However, if you are experiencing lower back pain, some exercises can worsen the problem.



Here are some specific exercises to avoid if you are having lower back pain: straight leg sit-ups, bent leg sit-ups or partial sit-ups (curl-ups) lifting both legs while lying on your back (leg lifts), lifting heavy weights above the waist (standing military press or bicep curls), and toe touches while standing.



The point of all of this is that it is non-sense to simply ignore lower back pain as there is a variety of methods to alleviate the problem. Because of the risk of further injury, one should always consult with their doctor or local pain management center before engaging in a focused exercise program. With acknowledging the pain in conjunction to proper management, one can be back to their old selves again. In many cases, this is a return to being excited to play with the kids, as the worry of pain from picking them up is alleviated. Furthermore, for the weekend warriors out there, this elimination of pain allows you to pursue the endeavor of your choice pain free.