Can Exercise Help Reduce Back Pain?

Gone are the days of lying in bed to get rid of back pain. The Mayo Clinic reports that most cases of acute back pain get better in a few weeks and bed rest is not recommended. In fact, doctors and chiropractors now advocate exercise to reduce back pain and to prevent its return. There is an appropriate exercise for almost every type of back pain. Whether due to osteoarthritis or injury, an exercise routine tailored to your specific needs will likely be helpful.

Why Exercise for Back Pain?

Your spine is capable of being quite strong and flexible. With exercises to stretch, strengthen and condition the muscles, tendons and ligaments that surround your spine, you can lower your chances of injury and back pain.

Similarly, if you are already experiencing back pain, then an exercise plan that includes resistance and strength training may reduce pain and help you return to your daily activities more quickly.

Five Ways Exercising Helps Back Pain

What exactly is it about exercise that can help reduce back pain? Here are five points to remember:

1. Exercise helps to strengthen the muscles that support your back.
2. Core exercises strengthen your abdominal muscles, which are key to maintaining good posture.
3. Back muscle flexibility helps improve your ability to move.
4. Weight bearing exercise builds strong bones so you avoid fractures.
5. When you exercise, endorphins are released, which reduce pain and lead to a feeling of euphoria.

What Exercises are Recommended for Back Pain?

First of all, be sure to check with your general physician or chiropractor before beginning any new exercise routine, especially if you haven’t exercised much in the past. Remember to start out slowly and work your way up to a more vigorous routine. Be sure to warm up with easy stretches before your workout and cool down afterwards.

If back pain worsens after you exercise, then contact your physician or chiropractor. Don’t ever think that you just have to “work though” the pain. The exercise you do should reduce and not increase pain.

Some of the best exercises to help reduce back pain include:

• Walking
• Biking
• Low-impact aerobics
• Hand weight training
• Swimming and aqua therapy
• Tai chi
• Yoga

With a planned exercise routine, you can reduce your back pain. And in combination with chiropractic adjustments, this type of rehabilitation can help prevent its return.

Meet the Doctor

Dr. Wills provides chiropractic care in Naples, FL. For back pain, he offers chiropractic treatments, therapeutic exercise, weight loss and management, soft tissue therapy and strength and rehabilitation. To get in contact with Dr. Wills, click here.