What Exercises Can I Do For Lower Back Pain

Here Are The Top 10 You Can Do At Home:

The first thing youll notice is that some of these movements are fairly hard to do. Thats the very point.

They are really a test to show you how much you need to use them to regain your lost strength and flexibility. As it becomes easier for you to do them, the better youll feel.

Important: After trying these 10, be sure to . This course reverses your discomfort by teaching you step by step, in order, how to correct your problems long term.

Each link below explains the movements in full. The eBook which contains a complete set of exercises to address your discomfort in depth

To go directly to each action, click on each one.

What Causes Lower Back Pain

If you want a very good overview of what causes lower back pain in the general population, then you should read this article by the House Call Doctor What Causes Back Pain. Among physically active individuals, lower back pain most commonly occurs as a result of the following:

• Picking a weight off the floor or setting one down incorrectly.

• Bending from the back rather than bending from the knees.

• Performing a high amount of impact based movement before the body has warmed up, or before the body is fit enough to absorb the impact.,

• Repeatedly bending and extending the low back by doing hundreds of crunches or low back extensions, two popular exercises that can be over-utilized.

• Exercising on equipment that is not properly set-up. Whether on a bicycle or weight training machine, one of the most common errors is improper seat height. For more on seat height, read the article How to Use Weightlifting Machines.

Exercises For Lower Back Muscle Strain

WatchHamstring Exercises for Low Back Pain Relief Video

A complete back exercise program consists of stretching and strengthening the low back, abdominal, and lower body muscles, and also includes regular aerobic conditioning. Specific exercises should be prescribed based on individual needs. The program that works best will largely depend on factors such as fitness level, specific back pain diagnosis, and personal preferences.

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Benefits Of Doing Back And Abdominal Exercises

When your supporting muscles are weak or over-tight, they can suffer injuries which make them fail to support your spine as needed.

Besides, muscles with structural defects can lead to problems with your spine bone structure resulting from poor posture of your muscles.

The overall effect of this may be increased risk of back pain or even injuries which may be very challenging to deal with.

On you dont want your back to be injured, right?

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Consequently, having strong abdominal and back muscles can:

• Reduce the possibility of back pains.
• Reduce the severity of back pains, if any.
• Guard against injuries by responding efficiently to any stresses acting against the back.
• Help to avoid back surgeries resulting from constant stressing of the back muscles.
• Make the healing process from a back surgery fast and efficient.
• Help to improve posture.

Over the years medical experts all over the place have stressed the importance of having strong core supportive muscles to improve the overall body health.

But how do you build and strengthen these muscle?

Building a strong core can be achieved trough movements and poses in certain popular exercises such as various forms of yoga, Pilates, planks, or other bodyweight exercises.

There is also a ton of exercise equipment on the market mainly constructed to help you in strengthening your core.

The fact is:

medlineplus.gov Low back pain acute

Hip Hinge To Side Leg Lift

You can also use light weights for this exercise. However, dont overwhelm your body by including too many core exercises if youre adding weights.

One to three exercises are usually enough for deep core strengthening, especially if your goal is to stabilize your back and get relief from lower back pain.

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Lying Static Leg Raise

The lying static leg raise helps with the lower back by placing more pressure on the back from a vertical standpoint. You will find this to be very comfortable and relieving. If youve had a tough day at work and your back is aching a bit, have yourself do the lying static leg raise for 15 to 20 minutes.

Exercises To Avoid With Lower Back Pain

Some types of cardio workouts put pressure on the lower back and strain your abdomen, which could cause inflammatory issues or disc herniations, putting more pressure on your nerves. Any kind of exercise that puts pressure on the affected joints and overexerts your abdominal muscles should be avoided. Exercises to avoid with lower back pain include:

• CrossFitthis branded workout is defined as constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensity. The intense, non-stop pace of CrossFit includes a variety of cardio activities, heavy lifting, flexibility training, and more. Its a popular sport, but one that may have negative effects on health and fitness in all areas it has also been shown to have higher rates of injury than other fitness activities, with low back injuries among the highest.2
• Traditional aerobics classesTraditional aerobics classes are high-impact because they include a lot of jumping and bouncing. These activities are jarring to your lower back and are likely to make your current condition worse.
• Running/jogging/hard walkingSimilar to jumping and bouncing, the pounding of your feet on the pavement is not good for diseased discs and joints.
• Repetitive stair-climbingOverworking your joints and the impact of repetitive stepping could have a negative effect on your injured back.

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Lower Back Pain: How Exercise Helps

You may feel like resting, but moving is good for your back. Exercises for lower back pain can strengthen back, stomach, and leg muscles. They help support your spine, relieving back pain. Always ask your health care professional before doing any exercise for back pain. Depending on the cause and intensity of your pain, some exercises may not be recommended and can be harmful.

Two Moves For Back Pain Prevention

Honing your back strength and mobility regularly will can help you avoid back pain. Do these stretches once or twice a week, when youre not traveling, and theyll prep your body to better handle the rigors of the road.

You wont be able to do all these stretches in a plane or train, but you should master them.

Sitting Figure Four Stretch

While sitting, bend one knee and place your ankle on top of the other knee. While maintaining a neutral spine lean forward to feel the stretch in your glutes. You may also lean towards the bent knee off the ground to feel a stretch in the lateral aspect of your glutes. Start with 10-seconds holds and progress to 30-second holds. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each side.

Standing Hip Flexor Stretch

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and take a step forward with right foot. Your knee will be bent. Just make sure you dont lunge too far forward think knee behind toes. Straighten out your left leg, tightening the glute, lean forward to feel stretch on front side of the left leg. If you dont feel the stretch, raise your left arm above your head and slightly lean to the other side. Start with 10-seconds holds and progress to 30-second holds. Repeat 5 to 10 times on each side.

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Stretching Exercises For Lower Back Pain

Lower back pain may be associated with getting older, but age is not always a deciding factor. Back pain shows no bias and can affect people who are active and healthy. The only thing that matters to those who have chronic lower back pain is finding a way to reduce the discomfort. Stretching helps alleviate the tension and pain in the lower back due to a weakened spine and can help keep it strong to mitigate any pain in the future. So, to find relief and keep the pain away, try some of these stretching exercises for lower back pain.

Try Instead: Towel Hamstring Stretches

Lie on your back with one knee bent. Wrap a towel around the foot of your other leg and use it to pull the leg up. Straighten the knee as you bring that leg up. Hold for 20 seconds and repeat on the other side. Be sure to keep your back flat on the floor during this stretch.

Dont let pain stop you from moving! Talk to your chiropractor if you have any questions or concerns.

References

1 Callaghan JP, Gunning JL, McGill SM. The relationship between lumbar spine load and muscle activity during extensor exercises. Physical Therapy. 1998 78:8-18.

2 McGill SM. Low back disorders: evidence-based prevention and rehabilitation. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics 2007.

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Lumbar Flexion Rotation Stretch

The flexion rotation stretch is started by lying on one side. Usually, your painful side is down on the table. Straighten your bottom leg, and tuck your top leg behind your bottom knee.

Reach your top hand to your top shoulder blade, and rotate your spine so your top shoulder moves backwards toward the floor. Hold this position for a second or two, and then return to the starting position. Repeat 10 repetitions, and note any changes in your symptoms.

Still dealing with symptoms? You may need to try a lumbar flexion progression. Check out the final step in this program to learn how to get started on that.

Back Exercises And Stretches

Simple back exercises and stretches can often help reduce back pain. These can be done at home as often as you need to.

For information about exercises and stretches that can help, see:

• Versus Arthritis: exercises to manage back pain

A GP may be able to provide information about back exercises if you’re unsure what to try, or you may want to consider seeing a physiotherapist for advice. Read about how to get access to physiotherapy.

Doing regular exercise alongside these stretches can also help keep your back strong and healthy. Activities such as walking, swimming, yoga and pilates are popular choices.

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Stability Ball Back Extension

Start facedown on a stability ball with feet resting on floor and core engaged so body forms a straight line. Keeping your back naturally arched, place hands behind ears and lower your upper body as far as you comfortably can. Squeeze glutes and engage back to and raise your torso until its in line with your lower body. Pause, then slowly lower your torso back to the starting position. Repeat for 12 to 15 reps.

Easy Stretches For Lower Back Pain Video

4 Easy Stretches for Lower Back Pain.

Back Flexion Stretch

Kneeling Lunge Stretch

Knee to Chest Stretch

Piriformis Stretch

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Supine Figure 4 Stretch

This classic yoga pose helps open up the hips as much as it is good for massaging your low back. “This pose stretches the outer glutes, as well as your piriformis, both of which can contribute to a tight lower back,” says Hilary Wright, Y7 instructor and director of continuing education.

How to do a supine figure 4 stretch: Lie on your back on a yoga mat with both knees bent and feet planted on the floor. Lift your right leg, flex your right foot and cross your right ankle over your left thigh. If this is enough stay here, or draw your left knee in and hold behind your left thigh to increase the intensity. Hold for 10 to 15 breaths and then switch to the other side.

Hyperextension On The Fitness Ball

If you dont have a gym membership and youd prefer doing this stretch at home, grab a large fitness ball and lay on your stomach. Start by placing both hands behind your head and lowering your shoulders. Stop once you feel a full stretch and then engage your lower back, bringing yourself back up again. You can use this stretch as a back exercise as well by doing more repetitions.

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Exercises To Strengthen And Relieve Pain

Core and back strength is incredibly important when it comes to low back pain. The following exercises are designed to help you strengthen these areas and ease the pain in your back. Well begin with the easy ones and move on to the more difficult ones.

Note: Most of these exercises require that you engage your ab muscles. The proper form calls for a drawing-in of the muscles, instead of a bulging-out. Your lower stomach should flatten in a little bit. If youre pushing your abs out, youre likely over-flexing.

How Do You Strengthen Your Lower Back

If youre trying to fix that nagging back painor more importantly prevent ittry the following strength exercises and lower back stretches, demonstrated by Hollis Tuttle, certified personal trainer and run coach in New York City. Add this routine to your workouts one to two times per week. As always, consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise routine to ensure its safe for your condition.

How to use this list: Complete 3 to 5 sets of the following exercises in order. Perform each exercise for the specified number of reps or seconds, resting for 30 seconds between exercises. Add these moves to your routine 2 to 3 times per week. You will need a large stability ball and an exercise mat.

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Pain Relief: Try Partial Crunches

One of the classic core-strengthening workouts is the partial stomach crunch. Partial crunches build strength in both your lower back and related stomach muscles, making this an ideal exercise for people with spondylosis.

Here’s how to get the most out of partial crunches:

• Lie back, and keep your feet flat on the floor with your knees bent.
• With your hands behind your head or with arms crossed around your chest, raise your shoulders from the floor. Make sure to keep your stomach muscles tight.
• Breath out while raising your shoulders. Avoid leading with your elbows .
• Hold for one second. Next, lower yourself back down to the floor in a controlled manner.
• Repeat with between eight and 12 repetitions.Remember to follow proper form, which prevents excessive spine stress. Keep your feet, tailbone, and lower back against the floor throughout the exercise.

Try Instead: Partial Crunches

Partial crunches are better at isolating your abdominal muscles without risking injury to the low back. Lie on your back with both knees bent and feet flat on the floor. Put your hands behind your neck, tighten your abdominal muscles and raise your shoulders off the floor, being careful not to use your arms to pull your neck off the floor. Hold, and slowly lower your shoulders back down. Repeat 15 times, or as recommended by your exercise plan. It might be helpful to have your hands placed under your low back to maintain the lumbar curve and support the pelvis.

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Double Knee To Chest Stretch

• Get on your back, feet on the floor.
• Gently pull both knees towards your chest.
• Hold position 20-30 seconds.
• Repeat 3-5 times.

The stretch helps to promote lumbar spine flexibility and movement and can be done before or after workouts to prevent muscle strain and injury. This exercise also gently activates cores muscles which can improve overall body performance and help to reduce lower back pain.

Lower Back Pain Exercises To Avoid

When working out with a bad back, its just as important to know what not to do. Once youve been approved to exercise with back pain, its recommended to work with a personal trainer or physiotherapist to better understand what exercises affect you and how.

In general, here are some activities youll want to avoid with back pain:

• Heavy weight lifting
• High impact cardio like running or road cycling
• Toe-touches and repeatedly bending over
• Back extensions and hyperextensions

In addition to these guidelines, be sure to get to know your body and the types of exercises that cause you pain. This will help you learn your limits so you can develop the best workout plan for you while recovering from back pain.

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Try: Some Pilates Moves

Pilates combines stretching, strengthening, and core abdominal exercises. Under the instruction of an experienced teacher, it may help some people with back pain. Be sure to tell your teacher about your back pain, because you may need to skip some moves. For further reading, here are more back exercises for women.