Back exercises are vital for many people in order to rehabilitate their spine and alleviate any back pain they may be experiencing. A slow and controlled exercise program that is specifically tailored to the individual is often the most successful in achieving the desired results.
Back pain is a common issue that people experience, and the typical response is to take it easy by either staying in bed or at least stopping any strenuous activity. However, resting for more than a day can actually undermine healing and worsen the pain.
Benefits of Exercise:
Exercises for relieving back pain, when done in a controlled and progressive manner, offer many benefits, including:
- There are many benefits to strengthening the muscles that support the spine, including reducing pressure on the spinal discs and facet joints.
- This helps to distribute nutrients more evenly throughout the body, including to the spinal discs. Improved circulation leads to better overall health, and can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
- Endorphins are a naturally occurring pain reliever. They can also help to reduce dependence on pain medication. Endorphins are known to improve mood and reduce depressive symptoms, which are common effects of chronic pain.
- The best way to minimize the frequency of back or neck pain is by reducing the severity of pain when it does occur.
A workout routine that’s well-rounded and effective should ideally include a good mix of stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as some sort of aerobic activity to get your heart rate up.
Exercise as Prescription for Back Pain:
A comprehensive back exercise program should work the whole body and target the back. Just as a qualified health professional will customize exercise based on a variety of factors, the same principle applies to back exercises:
- The clinical diagnosis
- Whether the pain is considered mild, moderate, or severe
- The pain relief necessary to tolerate activity
- The frequency of prescribed exercises
- The correct form and healthy posture need for a performing exercise
Also Read: 7 Ways Posture Can Help You Work Longer
Maintaining the Exercise Program Over Time
Adhering to an exercise routine is one of the most important factors for long-term pain relief. However, maintaining that routine can be difficult for a number of reasons, including pain that gets worse with activity, economic constraints, and low motivation. According to one study, the most common reason for a lack of adherence to exercise is increased pain caused by activity. When this is the case, an exercise professional can incorporate pain reduction and management as primary parts of the exercise program. This way, you can get the pain relief you need without having to worry about making your pain worse.