Best Back Exercise

Does a best back exercise really exist? Yes it does. However, finding one might take a bit of effort.

The term back pain refers to a wide variety of ailments that could include, among other things...

• back aches
• back muscle pain
• spinal disc problems
• muscles strain
• rheumatoid or osteoarthritis
• back injury

Since the cause of back pain can be so varied, so too can back pain treatment options, including which exercise will work best.

How then do you choose the best back exercise for your own back?

I am a patient NOT a practitioner, so your first step should be to consult qualified health care provider. The importance of this cannot be emphasized enough.

Although back pain may resolve itself within a few weeks, or days if you're lucky, there are times when its cause is more serious in nature.

If your health care provider determines that your cause of back pain is not due to an illness, or anything that is harmful to your health, they may prescribe...

Exercises for Back Pain

As painful as it may sound, exercise has become one of the most recommended back pain treatments.

A three year study by Roger Chou, M.D., Oregon Health and Science University, concludes that a noninvasive, low-tech back rehabilitation treatment...

...such as exercise, is among the best back pain remedies.

However, if your back pain is intense, or excessively limits your motion, your doctor may give you a break for a day or two. Rest, and either ice or heat therapy, might be the initial treatment.

But after that...

You may be told that physical activity, in the form of exercise, will be the best rehabilitation for your back.

From my own experience with upper back pain, middle and lower back pain, I highly recommend a visit with either a physical therapist or a back pain specialist.

Even if your insurance, or budget, only allows for one or two visits, you may gain invaluable suggestions on the best back exercise for your particular situation.

A good back exercise program will often consist of various types of:

• back stretching exercise
• back strengthening exercises
• upper back exercises
• posture exercises
• walking for exercise

...along with exercises for the stomach muscles. Yes, the stomach!

As part of the core muscle group, the stomach muscles, or abs, play an extremely important role in back health. Not only are they often included in an exercise routine for back pain treatment, but also for back pain prevention.

Determining what combination is the best back exercise for your own back may be a matter of trial and error, for both you and your doctor or therapist.

In my case...

I try not to attempt too many new exercises simultaneously.

Instead, I try one or two, and give them a couple of days. If they don't cause additional discomfort, I continue to use them in my workout routine. If they have been bothersome, I experiment with a few others.

This is when a physical therapist comes in handy!

Based on how your body responds to a few specific exercises, a trained professional can usually predict which exercises for back pain will work best for YOU.

You may also be interested in:
Chronic Back Pain, Dealing with Back Pain, Extreme Lower Back Pain, Mind Over Back Pain

Other Back Muscle Exercises

The best back exercise doesn't need to be limited to traditional back stretching and back strengthening exercises.

Instead, think creatively...

Believe it or not, many of our daily activities, when done using proper posture, can be very effective for stretching and strengthening the back muscles.

As long as the body has had a proper warm up...

Activities such as gardening, housecleaning, window washing, lawn work, and even sports, can be considered as back muscle exercises.

When my time doesn't allow for a complete exercise routine during the day I frequently try to fill in the gaps with some office chair exercise, yoga or different Pilates poses.

The bottom line...

The best back exercise is something that...

• has been recommended by a trained professional
• provide you with back pain relief
• and, can easily fit into your lifestyle

Be patient, and in time you will hopefully find your own best back exercise!