Have you been struggling with back pain and want to stay active? In this blog, we can help you by giving you 6 Tips For Exercising With A Bad Back.
Back pain is a very common problem, with more than 80% of the population in the United States experiencing it at some point in their life. This can be caused by a variety of things such as poor posture, an injury, or illness, but can also have no apparent cause. Despite its prevalence, however, back pain does not have to keep you from being active and enjoying life.
It is important to take steps to prevent back pain whenever possible. These include exercising regularly, maintaining good posture while sitting and standing, avoiding lifting objects that are too heavy for you to handle safely alone, and paying attention to your body’s signals when it needs rest.
In addition to these preventive measures, there are treatments available that can help reduce or manage existing back pain. These include physical therapy, medications, injections, and chiropractic care.
Although it can be difficult to deal with the pain of a bad back, there are ways to stay active and still enjoy life despite it. For example, you can look into low-impact activities such as swimming or cycling which will minimize stress on your spine while still providing an excellent workout.
You may also want to talk to your doctor about potential lifestyle modifications that could help reduce your back pain. With a combination of preventive measures and treatment options available, you can lead an active and fulfilling life despite any aches or pains associated with a bad back.
Why It Is Ideal To Keep Active Even When Experiencing Back Pain
Staying active is one of the best strategies when it comes to managing the pain associated with back issues. Once you have received a diagnosis from your healthcare provider, engaging in physical activity can help relieve some of the discomfort associated with spasms and inflammation. Moving around keeps your muscles loose, which helps reduce tension in the affected area. Furthermore, staying active encourages proper circulation, which can improve healing processes and aid in recovery.
Being physically inactive will usually make matters worse when it comes to dealing with back pain. Resting constantly restricts blood flow and does not allow for adequate muscle movement – both of which are required for hurting backs that need relief. Additionally, relying on rest as a primary means of treatment only masks symptoms for so long; underlying issues will continue to persist and become exacerbated if left alone.
Instead of relying on rest as the primary treatment for back pain, it is important to stay active in order to properly manage symptoms. Taking walks or participating in gentle stretches can help increase blood circulation and relieve muscle tension. At the same time, this approach offers a sense of control over your pain. As you gain strength and mobility, your confidence should grow as well; such a mindset is incredibly beneficial when trying to prevent further episodes of back pain down the road.
6 Tips For Exercising With A Bad Back
Monitor Your Progress: It is important to track your progress while exercising. This will help you determine how well the exercises are working for you and if any adjustments need to be made. You should also pay attention to any new or worsening symptoms – this can indicate that a particular exercise or activity may not be suitable for your condition. If this happens, speak with your doctor before continuing with it.
Listen To Your Body: Before, during, and after exercising make sure to listen closely to your body’s signals. Pain can be an indication that something isn’t quite right and could be an indication of further injury or strain on the muscles and joints in your back area. Make sure to stop immediately if there is any pain and speak with your doctor about it.
Consider Working With A Professional: If you feel that you need additional guidance or support when exercising, consider working with a physical therapist or personal trainer who specializes in back pain treatment. They can provide assistance and advice on how to safely exercise as well as what types of exercises are best for your condition.
Avoid Strenuous Activities: While some activities may be beneficial for back pain sufferers, there are certain activities such as running and jumping that should be avoided due to the potential risk of further injury or strain on the spine, joints, muscles, and ligaments in the back area.
Take Breaks: As with most forms of exercise, it is important to take regular breaks in order to help your body rest and recover. Taking regular breaks can also help alleviate any pain you may be experiencing as well as reduce the chances of further injury or strain.
Have Fun: As uncomfortable as exercising with back pain can be, make sure that you are still having fun! Exercise should be enjoyable, so find activities that you enjoy and focus on those – it will make the process much easier and more rewarding!
Physical Therapy and Exercise Can Help With Your Back Pain
As physical therapists, we are experts in the musculoskeletal system and can help patients dealing with back pain. We aim to improve strength, flexibility, range of motion, and function which will ultimately reduce your pain.
Our treatments may include manual therapy techniques such as soft tissue mobilization or joint manipulation/mobilization; therapeutic exercise; electrical stimulation; taping; and patient education on lifestyle modifications.
We strive to not only alleviate current symptoms but also prevent future episodes of back pain by addressing any underlying biomechanical dysfunctions associated with your condition.
This could involve strengthening weak muscles, improving posture, correcting muscle imbalances, teaching proper body mechanics for activities of daily living, and increasing overall physical activity levels.
Though it may be tempting to avoid physical activity when experiencing back pain, exercise is actually an integral part of treatment for most musculoskeletal conditions. When done properly, exercise can aid in the management and prevention of future episodes of back pain by increasing strength and flexibility and improving overall function.
The key is to find exercises that are appropriate for your current condition which our physical therapists can help you identify. With our guidance, we can ensure that your exercises are tailored to your individual needs and provide relief without further aggravating your pain.
Do You Have Nagging Back Pain That Continues To Keep You From Doing The Things You Love?
Are you experiencing back pain and looking to understand what could be causing you problems? Then make sure that you contact us at Physical Therapy for everyBODY to start the conversation on how to best treat these issues.
We understand that you want to stay active, do the things you love, and know that back pain can be frustrating. That is why we recommend that you come to see us so we can help you understand the best ways to keep active and enjoy life pain-free!
If you have aches, or pains, or just want to discuss how to keep the body healthy, we would love to invite you for a Free Back Pain Assessment, which will enable you to get a full diagnosis and help you get answers on ways you can treat or prevent pain.
You can contact us by telephone at 425-658-4944 to claim your free back pain assessment or by completing our inquiry form in under 30 seconds.
Other Free Resources To Help You With Back Pain
Download our free back pain report.
Read our blog – Is It Safe To Exercise With A Bad Back?
Follow us on social media at Physical Therapy for Everybody Facebook Page and Physical Therapy for Everybody YouTube Channel.
Dr. Amy Konvalin
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