Exercise for Lower Back Problems

Just the very thought of exercise for lower back problems may make you cringe.

However, I have been told time and time again (for my own chronic back pain)...

...that for many back pain causes, that are NOT serious in nature, exercise is one of the best remedies.

Why is that?

Some of the major causes of lower back pain are lower back muscle spasms, or a pull or strain to weak muscles, and through exercise...

...it is often possible to strengthen and stretch these muscles, so as to allow for improved spine support. But, as I have learned...

...it is not only the lower back muscles that play a role in low back pain, many other muscles and joints can also be involved.

Please note...
I am a patient, NOT a practitioner. To avoid risk of serious injury, exercise should NOT be done without first talking with a medical professional, particularly...

...if you have had recent back injury, or for lower back exercise after back surgery. Be aware also - serious medical conditions may be the cause of lower back pain.

Exercises for Strengthening Lower Back

If you visit a physical therapist, a chiropractor, or other back pain specialist, for a lower back problem that is a result of a sprain, strain, or muscle spasm, it is not unlikely that they will prescribe light exercise to help relieve your discomfort.

What may surprise you though, is that on your list of exercise for lower back problems, not only might there be...

• lumbar stretch exercises, and
• lower back stretches

...but quite likely, recommended exercise will also include...

• upper back exercises
• middle back exercises

...as well as some easy stomach exercise.

Stomach exercise for lower back pain? Yes, that's right.

Not only do the stomach muscles - the rectus abdominis, the transverses abdominus, and the external and internal oblique's - form part of the girdle that helps support the spine, but they also play a crucial role in overall back health.

You may also be interested in:
Back Pain, Back Pain Treatment, Prevent Back Pain

Strengthening Lower Back with Correct Posture

An often overlooked exercise for lower back problems is simply maintaining good posture. Since posture is another one of the major reasons for low back pain...

...correct standing posture, sitting posture AND sleeping posture are all important.

Although it is not always easy, being mindful of how you do daily chores, and how they may affect spine alignment, can have significant results in low back pain prevention, as well as low back pain treatment.

And since it is not uncommon for low back pain to radiate to the legs and/or hips, using correct posture as an exercise for lower back problems may prevent a number of problems.