Should I Work Out With Lower Back Pain
Yes! Proper exercise is one of the best things you can do for lower back pain. While your sore back may make you want to lounge around and do nothing, inactivity will cause muscle loss and stiffness.
Resting for a short period is OK, but prolonged inactivity can actually worsen symptoms. Reduced support from the weakening muscles around the spine can increase lower back pain.
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.
What Can You Do To Strengthen Your Back
One strategy to help manage or possibly avoid nonspecific back pain and enhance range of motion is to strengthen your muscles through back workouts at home.
The first step is to determine what is causing your back pain. Make an appointment with your doctor if you were hurt in an accident, fall, or other incidents. However, if youve strained something or simply have a tight lower back, you should begin treatment at home.
When it comes to pain, some people believe that if they rest, it will go away. Its the other way around. The best medicine is movement. Muscles can become more tense and inflamed when theyre not used. So, as long as the pain permits, keep moving and follow your normal routine. Thats why some prefer doing yoga to ease back pain.
Read More
You May Like: Can Hemorrhoids Cause Back Pain
Exercises To Help Lower Back Pain
The exercises below are meant to strengthen and improve flexibility in your muscles to support your lower back. Lower back pain may be recurring or a one-time experience. Doing these back strengthening exercises daily will ease lower back pain and prevent future episodes by strengthening your abdominal, hip, and back muscles.
Knee to Chest Stretch
This stretch is an easy way to warm up for your workout.
âStep 1: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
âStep 2: Use both hands to pull one knee into your chest.
âStep 3: Tighten your abdominals and press your spine to the floor. Hold for 5 seconds.
âStep 4: Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
You can repeat this stretch 2 to 3 times in the morning and at night.
Lower Back Rotational Stretch
This is another easy stretch to get your muscles ready to move.
âStep 1: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
âStep 2: Keep your shoulders firmly on the floor, roll your bent knees to one side and hold for 5 to 10 seconds.
âStep 3: Return to the starting position and repeat on the other side.
You can repeat this 2 to 3 times in the morning and night.
Glute Bridges Exercise
This exercise aims to strengthen your glute and abdominal muscles.
âStep 1: Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
âStep 3: Hold the position as long as you can, starting with 3 deep breaths. Then return to the starting position.
Simple Exercises To Help Correct Lower Back Pain
The good news is relieving and correcting lower back pain doesnt need to be complicated. Here are three simple exercises that just about anyone can do at home and without special equipment. IMPORTANT NOTE: Those with chronic or serious discomfort and pain should consider seeing our official health partner Progress Physical Therapy.
1. Knee to ChestStart by lying on your back with your feet flat on the floor and your knees bent. Bring up one knee to your chest and hold for 15 seconds. Return the knee to the starting position and repeat the process with the other leg and knee. Do this 3 5 times for each leg, alternating. Watch this video to learn the Knee to Chest exercise
Don’t Miss: How To Help Lower Back Pain Stretches
T Levels Decline In Men
T levels is one of our main muscle-building hormones. If you don’t have enough T, you’ll have trouble building new muscleand keeping the muscle you already have.
Other symptoms of low T include ED, low libido, and lack of energy.
The conventional treatment to low T is called TRT. It works like a charm but comes with potential side effects including infertility and increased risk for heart attack and stroke.
The best natural alternative to TRT is Tongkat Ali, a herb native to Thailand and Myanmar.
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.
Also Check: Which Doctor To Visit For Lower Back Pain
How Chiropractic Can Help Lower Back Pain
Regular chiropractic treatment is another great conservative care option for not only overall health but also back pain. The gentle adjustments that your practitioner can apply during an appointment help to realign the spine and extremities for better overall function. These adjustments not only help your whole body feel better, but they can also fend off inflammation and even help support your immune system. This is especially important while your body is in the healing process. Not to mention, your practitioner can help you pinpoint which at-home exercises may suit your injury best.
By scheduling regular chiropractic care, you can help to keep your body and your immune system in tip-top shape. During the initial evaluation, we will go over your health history in detail and construct a plan that you are completely comfortable with before moving forward. Dont neglect your health schedule an appointment online or call 397-6699.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for in-person advice or care from a medical professional.
Exercises For Lower Back Pain Strengthening
Try these exercises for lower back pain to alleviate your discomfort and target the afflicted areas. Some back pains are more severe than others others are less severe than others. Despite your best back exercises, the pain persists despite your efforts to improve your flexibility and strengthen your core. There is more to chronic or extreme lower back pain than meets the eye.
An expert physical therapist may identify the source of your discomfort and devise a tailored stretching and exercise plan to alleviate your symptoms. Each lower back stretcher exercise is monitored by the therapists to guarantee proper execution.
Also Check: How To Relieve My Back Pain
Classes Of Exercise That Reduce Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can make it difficult to get up and move around, so you may be tempted to put exercise on hold until you feel better. Unfortunately, that’s rarely the best option.
In this post, we’ll tell you how to safely work out with lower back pain so that you can put yourself on the road to recovery.
Have you considered clinical trials for Lower back pain?
We make it easy for you to participate in a clinical trial for Lower back pain, and get access to the latest treatments not yet widely available – and be a part of finding a cure.
First A Few Quick Tips
Stretch your lower back with safety and care. Be especially gentle and cautious if you have any type of injury or health concern. Its best to talk with your doctor first before starting any new types of exercise.
You can do these stretches once or twice a day. But if the pain seems to get worse, or youre feeling very sore, take a day off from stretching.
Be mindful of your bodys limits and dont push your body to do too much. Listen to your body and do what feels best for you in each moment.
As you go through these stretches, take your time and pay close attention to your breathing. Use your breath as a guide to make sure you dont strain or overdo it. You should be able to breathe comfortably and smoothly throughout each pose or stretch.
Read Also: How To Cure Your Back Pain
Exercising With Back Pain
As with any injury, you need to be careful and know your limits.
If your back pain symptoms persist for a few weeks, are severe, and dont improve with rest, the pain spreads down your legs, the pain causes weakness or numbness in your legs, or is accompanied by unexplained weight loss, contact your doctor .
That being said, a certain type of exercise is tougher on your back health than others.
They can cause more strain, tightness, create discomfort and lead to even more pain.
Naturally, this means if you are experiencing acute low back pain, youll want to avoid those kinds of exercises.
Here are 7 exercises to avoid and an alternative to try instead!
The Spine Is Susceptible To Pain When Core Muscles Are Weak
The lower back is the center point of our whole body, said Dr. Krishna Shah, an interventional pain specialist at Baylor College of Medicine. The spine has to be mobile, able to bend and twist in multiple directions, while also bearing the weight of our body.
Surrounding the spine are the core muscles. Although we tend to think of our core as the abdominals, it also includes the deep back muscles, as well as the hip muscles, quadriceps and hamstrings, which support our spine and pelvis.
Core muscles work similarly to a back brace, keeping the midsection stable and upright. Thats why wearing a brace provides short-term pain relief for patients with lower back pain, but relying on one too much can weaken their core muscles. Instead, the goal should be to strengthen those muscles enough to do the braces job.
If you can develop your own internal brace, that is more effective, said Dr. Sean Barber, a neurosurgeon and spine specialist at Houston Methodist Hospital.
Acute back pain is often the result of pulling or straining a muscle while trying a movement that requires a muscle that has become weak or stiff. If this muscle cant provide the needed force, then the pressure shifts to the spine in a way that leads to pain.
Developing core strength, flexibility and muscular control can help you avoid these pulled or strained muscles.
Recommended Reading: What Firmness Of Mattress Is Best For Lower Back Pain
Low Back Care On Pilates Reformer
Now that youve warmed up, youre ready to strengthen those back muscles with a Pilates reformer with tower!
Ponder Your Sitting Posture
Make sure your butt is all the way back in the chair and shoulder blades against the chair. Do not sit forward. Sitting while leaning forward, causes an increase in intradiscal pressure, says Michalsin.
If you can adjust the sit, make sure your knees are in line with your hips or slightly lower. If you are still uncomfortable try rolling up a towel and position it between your lower back and the seat, helping to maintain the natural curvature of your spine.
You May Like: How Long Should Lower Back Pain Last
An Introduction To The Impact Of Back Pain On Society And The Importance Of Physical Activity
Back pain is a major health issue in Western countries and is associated with increasing medical expenditure, work absence and is the most common musculoskeletal condition . Sixty to eighty percent of adults will at some point in their lives experience low back pain , and 16% of adults in the United Kingdom consult their general practitioner every year . Back pain costs the National Health Service £1.3 million every day and results in 12.5% of all work absence in the UK . However, the most appropriate intervention to treat non-specific chronic low back pain remains elusive .
It is recommended for patients with NSCLBP to remain physically active, as long periods of inactivity will adversely affect recovery . A variety of different types of exercise have been explored to treat CLBP, including low-to-moderate intensity aerobic exercise , high intensity aerobic exercise , core stabilization and muscular strength exercises and flexibility programmes . However, the most effective form of exercise as a method of rehabilitation for NSCLBP is unknown reflecting its complexity and more research is required .
Lumbar Side Glide In Standing
If the press up with hips off center failed to offer significant relief or centralize your symptoms, you should then try the lumbar side glide exercise.
This exercise is done standing about a foot from a wall with your painful side away from the wall. Lean your shoulder against the wall with your elbow tucked into your ribs, and slowly push your pelvis underneath your ribcage.
Perform 10 repetitions of the side glide, and watch for changes in your pain. If your pain continues or fails to centralize, try the next exercise: the lumbar flexion rotation stretch.
You May Like: How To Relieve Osteoarthritis Pain In Lower Back
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.
Show Sources
Best Exercises To Relieve Lower Back Pain
- Practical Tips
Most people will experience lower back pain at some point in their life, it is very common. In the old days bed rest was prescribed if your back was playing-up, whereas today it is recommended to keep exercising. Of course the exercises you do have to be appropriate, we are not suggesting to go for a run or lift heavy weights, that wouldnt be smart. However, there are some great exercises you can do which should help alleviate lower back pain. These exercises are extremely gentle, but of course, listen to your body and stop if you experience any pain.
The exercises work by stretching out muscles that are normally tight when you have lower back pain and strengthening muscles which tend to be weak. Of course, there are many reasons for having lower back pain, so it makes sense to get checked out by a physical therapist.
Make sure you warm-up your muscles before you stretch them. You should never bounce during stretching, and all stretches should be slow and gradual. Avoid over-stretching, stretch your muscles until you feel a slight stretch only, and hold each stretch for 20-30 seconds.
1. Lower Tummy Strengthening
It is important to strengthen your lower tummy muscles because these muscles work in partnership with the lower back. This means if the lower tummy muscles are weak the lower back can tighten up, which can lead to lower back pain.
If your back hurts at all then this exercise is not for you OR at least not yet.
source: www.webmd.com
3. Bird Dog
Recommended Reading: Why Do We Get Lower Back Pain
Transform Chores Into A Workout
If youre at a loss for where to work out, look no further than your own house. Chores can turn into opportunities for arthritis exercises.
The key is to engage your core muscles. Keep your back straight and gently contract your abdominal muscles to get the most out of your movements.
Bend with your legs and not with your back while tightening your stomach to protect your back muscles.
You can practice this technique during a variety of chores, including:
- doing laundry
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.
Also Check: Why Is My Lower Back So Tight In The Morning
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.
Modified Seated Side Straddle
The seated side straddle exercise stretches the hamstring, the abductors, and the extensor muscles in the middle and lower back. The seated side straddle requires a person to follow these steps:
- Step 1: Sit with both legs flat against the floor and extended out in front of the body. The feet should be far enough apart that the legs form a V shape.
- Step 2: Bend the left leg, bringing the left foot up to touch the right knee and letting the left knee fall out away from the body.
- Step 3: Keeping the back straight, bend from the hips and reach forward toward the toes of the right foot.
- Step 4: Slowly round the spine, bringing the hands toward the right ankle or shin while lowering the head as close as possible to the right knee.
- Step 5: Hold the position for 30 seconds, then relax for 30 seconds. Repeat on the other side.
- Step 6: Perform 56 repetitions.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Lower Back Pain When Sleeping
