2 days ago
What Are the Best Exercises for Back Pain?
Q: I struggle with lower back pain. I've heard that 'motion is lotion,' but I'm worried that the wrong type of exercise could make the pain worse. What is the most effective — and safest — way for me to work out?
When you're in pain, exercising may feel like the last thing you want to do. But a growing body of research suggests that, while it's not a cure, physical activity may be a useful tool for managing chronic low back pain. And, over time, inactivity may make symptoms worse.
It may feel counterintuitive, but 'the best thing for you to do is actually to keep on moving,' in most cases, said Dr. Edward Phillips, an associate professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School.
Exercise can help to relieve pain by stretching and strengthening the muscles that support the back. For some, it can also improve your perception of the pain and reduce chronic stress.
Still, studies suggest that one of the main reasons people with back pain don't exercise is because they fear they will make their pain worse.
Whether you're looking to move more, or you're already active and want to keep working out despite your back pain, we asked doctors to share their dos and don'ts for exercising safely and effectively. (Because back pain can have different causes, check with your health care provider before getting started, or if your pain worsens.)
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