Is it Safe to Exercise with Back Pain?

Many back pain sufferers avoid exercise and movement in fear that they will trigger more pain. Although it is not recommended to continue the specific activity that initiated the pain, movement in general is often the best medicine. More times than not, back pain can be directly linked to poor posture during daily activities as opposed to a certain movement. Exercise and movement keep your body flexible and strong by strengthening and repairing muscles that support your back. This is also essential moving forward to avoid new injuries. Lack of movement creates more pain as the back stiffens and weakens.

The best exercise programs for back pain relief include core conditioning and flexibility. Your core consists of your abdominal and back muscles. It is important that they each get equal attention in order to support your spine. Next, you must consider hamstring flexibility. Many back injuries occur due to less flexible hamstrings. Also, exercise will also promote weight loss in some cases which can relieve unnecessary stress on your back.

There are numerous exercise programs out there that address these issues. Some popular choices include Yoga, Pilates, and Water Therapy. Please note that anytime you begin a new fitness routine while experiencing pain, you should check in with a professional. A Chiropractor, Spine Specialist, or Physical Therapist is appropriate for back pain specifically. Once you are approved to start, consider a program that makes sense for your specific condition. Pilates is a great choice for many sufferers as it includes both strengthening and stretching. It also takes healing one step further and requires you to concentrate on your movement and be mindful of your body alignment. If you are able to practice regularly, you will begin to bring the principles into your everyday life. An example is when you begin to remember to pull your stomach in and pull your shoulders down to protect the back while sitting at your desk at work.

Bottom line, move it or lose it! The less you move, the harder it will be to continue daily activities without pain. If you decide to remain or become active, you will be on a faster track to a pain free existence and will avoid future injuries.