Suffering from stiffness in your back? Soreness? Pain in a certain spot?
You may think you should be resting. In fact, many people would think they should be resting to prevent further pain or injury. But the truth is, you actually should keep moving.
A recent survey published in Consumer Reports showed that the top-rated measure to help relieve mild back pain was exercise. And there is no scientific evidence that activity and exercise are harmful or should be avoided.
What Does This Mean?
Back pain is not a reason to skip out on exercise or activities.
If you are one of the millions of Americans with back pain or chronic pain, don’t lay around. It is much better for you to be up and moving. Moderate exercise is not going to hurt you or make your pain worse. More than likely, it will help reduce your pain in the long run.
Try hiking, jogging, swimming, cycling, or exercise classes to get you into working out. Astudy from the University of York tested the effectiveness of exercise in treating chronic lower back pain (CLBP). The study found that, “Exercise had a positive effect on patients with CLBP, and these positive effects were generally well maintained.”
A strength training program may also help ease pain. A study published in Arthritis and Rheumatism found that 10 weeks of strength training exercises, targeted towards the affected muscle groups, provided 79% improvement. This study was done on women with chronic neck pain, but the results may translate to other parts of the body. Remember, it is important to work with a trainer when starting a strength training program.
Of course, there are a few exceptions to this. If you are experiencing acute back pain, if you are diagnosed with a condition that forbids certain exercises, or if your pain is debilitating, you should contact your physician before exercise. You are likely able to complete certain exercises in moderation. But for the vast majority of people with lower-level chronic pain, exercise will help.
If you are experiencing back pain, contact us. Or call our dedicated Medical Concierge at 800-890-1964.
