Back exercises for back pain have become increasingly popular in recent years. Probably due to the prevalence of back pain amongst younger people under the age of 45.
With a very few exceptions, exercises for back pain are an extremely effective treatment for all kinds of back pain. Gone are the days when you would be told to lie flat on a hard surface and rest until the pain went away. That turned out to be probably the worst thing you could do.
The human body depends upon its spinal column for support, structural stability, as well as mobility. The spine is made up of 24 vertebrae, stacked one on top of the other from skull to pelvis. Separated by discs (basically shock absorbers made of protein, collagen, and water), and wrapped by muscles and ligaments.
So, a lot to go wrong, and it can be easily seen that any injury to any of these components can, and usually does, result in pain. The likelehood of such injuries, and the recovery time when they do occur, can be greatly reduced by a sensible program of back pain exercises.
Having said that, there will be times when exercise may not be appropriate. Such as in cases where the pain is not caused by bad posture or sudden movements. Or where the back pain is accompanied by bowel or bladder control problems. It is vital in such cases that appropriate medical treatment from a qualified physician is sought as soon as possible.
Of course the best way to treat back ache is to avoid it in the first place as much as possible by maintaining a proper posture, and keeping your back muscles in condition with a back exercise regime.
Simple things we all forget at times, like bending at the waist or stooping to pick something up. How often are we told, keep your back straight and bend the knees to lower yourself to pick up?
One of the commonest, and simplest of back pain exercises, hardly an exercise at all in fact, is to stand straight, or sit on a chair that provides proper support for your back. Don’t sit or stand in the same position for too long. Ten to fifteen minutes in any one position is enough. Move around regularly.
Don’t slouch or lean, these are back-killers. Yoga is an excellent form of exercise for your back, as is meditation. Find a local class and take proper instruction. Very cheap and very effective,
Some of the exercises you can do to avoid backache, done on a regular basis, using no equipment are wall slides, leg raises, and leg swings. By strengthening the abdominal muscles, and those supporting the spine, you can help yourself maintain a healthy back and avoid expensive medical intervention and a lifetime of chronic back pain.
