It’s no secret that exercise has many health benefits. From staying mobile to reducing the risk of heart disease, getting up and moving works wonders for your body.
Also, not-so-secret is the fact that many Americans struggle with back pain that can lead to surgery. More than just being painful, back problems can severely limit your mobility and lower your quality of life, especially if they are bad enough for surgery to be an option.
Well, we have good news—exercise not only improves your overall well being but can also help you avoid back surgery due to back pain! Read on to discover how!
Rest or Exercise?
The short answer? Both.
The last thing you want to do when actively experiencing intense back pain or suffering from a spasm is exercise. This is totally understandable, and we would not recommend hopping up mid-spasm to do jumping jacks.
So, in cases where back pain is actively affecting you, rest is okay. In fact, it can help prevent further pain or potentially causing excess stress on the spine.
If you are not in the midst of a spasm, however, exercise is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your back. If you’re still skeptical, check out the reasoning below!
Back Benefits of Exercise
There are many advantages to exercising your back, especially if you’re someone who suffers from back pain.
Strengthening the muscle groups in your back is one of the primary benefits of targeted exercise, but the benefits don’t stop there. Exercise can also strengthen the connective tissues in the back, helping with stabilization and further injury prevention.
Exercise also encourages blood flow, especially to the area being targeted. This increased blood flow delivers oxygenated blood to your back, stimulating the area and promoting long-term health benefits.
How to Exercise with Back pain
As with any exercise, you should not overdo it or exceed your capabilities. Start slow—even simple stretches or walking are great—and progress as you and/or your doctor see fit. If you struggle with basic activities, water aerobics is a fantastic alternative that takes the pressure off the spine!
Surgery is viewed as a last resort by most people, and rightfully so. Taking little steps to avoid it will build and not only reduce the likelihood of needing surgery but also improve your overall health and wellbeing. Exercise, in whatever intensity and quantity you can handle, is one of the most beneficial things you can do for your back and your body as a whole!
Exercise is, of course, only one piece of the back pain improvement puzzle, but it is an integral piece. As with any health-related change in activity or lifestyle, it’s important to discuss a new exercise routine with your doctor before implementing it. They can help address the safety of the change, weigh the risks versus the benefits, and help you develop a comprehensive plan to maximize your positive results.
If you are searching for back pain relief or want help developing and implementing an exercise plan, feel free to contact us! We’d love to hear from you and help in any way possible!