There's no question that exercise is one of the best ways to strengthen your body, improve flexibility, and boost your metabolism. It turns out that quite a bit of evidence supports the idea that exercise can help lower back pain, too. Let's take a look at three types of exercise that can help alleviate back pain.
Yoga is very powerful in reducing short-term, chronic, lower back pain, and it may provide long-term benefits, as well.[1] The cat pose, for example, simulates the movements of a cat by having the individual alternate between arching the back and dropping the stomach toward the floor. This movement — when performed gently — may help relieve tightness in the lower back. Forward and backward bends will also promote gentle movement in the spine.
People dealing with low back pain may find relief by performing stability exercises using an exercise ball. It's especially helpful for people who sit throughout the day, such as those with office jobs.[2] There are a variety of movements one can perform using an exercise ball, and the type of move is generally determined by the location and severity of the back pain.
Cardiovascular exercise can reduce one of the primary contributing factors of back pain — excess body weight.[3] Losing weight is one of the most effective ways to relieve joint and muscle pain, and research shows that it can also help ease lower back pain.[4] Now, be careful. Cardiovascular exercise is strenuous, and only those who are cleared for exercise should participate.
Keep in mind that back pain can have a million, literally, different causes, and everyone has a different set of considerations. Someone who has experienced a car accident has a different set of variables than someone who wants to lose weight. What I'm getting at is that before you dive into an exercise routine, you should get clearance from your trusted healthcare professional who is familiar with you, your health, your situation, and your personal goals.
Introduction In recent decades, more and more of us have realized the value of adopting…
Introduction Each and every day, your body is exposed to toxic heavy metals. These metals…
Introduction It’s no secret that your body needs calcium. After all, without enough calcium, you…
Introduction If you haven’t put the incredible health benefits of boron to work for you,…
Introduction While most of us know the benefits of taking supplements like Vitamin D3 or…
Introduction Have you heard about activated charcoal but aren’t really sure what it and how…