Easy Exercises for Back Pain Sufferers

By Donna Stark

If I ask what you did today, would you be the type of person who rattles off a list of accomplishments that you have successfully completed? Would you say that you finished the weekly reports ahead of time, that you answered all 63 of those high-priority emails, that you led the ever-so-critical project meeting over Skype, and that you even solved the “911 emergency” with your sister company over in Germany? If you’re that type of person, I would have to respond on how productive of a day it was for you, wouldn’t I? But what if I ask what you did with your body as well? Would your answer show the same amount of productivity as your work, or would you respond with two words? I sat.

Exercising with Back Pain

Unfortunately, most of us have been a serial sitter at one point or another during our lives, and if your work revolves around a computer, you are probably one right now. When you spend a lot of your time sitting, your posture and health will eventually begin to suffer and you may have significant spine issues or back pain down the road. Maybe you’re even experiencing that kind of pain now and are finding it difficult to work out. Well, if you are, don’t worry! There are plenty of exercises you can do that will keep you in shape while also keeping some of the pain away. Take a look.

• Stretching - Try to stretch every morning and night. It may not seem like a lot, but the effects will soon add up and you will begin to feel the difference. Focus on your core, lower back, and hip muscles in order to restore your balance, improve your posture, and reduce the pain.
• Swimming - Swimming is a safe, but challenging workout that alleviates some of the stress on your back. It helps to build up the important muscle groups, improve your core support, and strengthen your bones.
• Walking - When you live with back pain, running and jogging may be totally out of the picture, but walking is a perfect replacement and is easy on your joints as well. Grab a friend and head out after dinner or join a local walking group!
• Yoga - A gentle form of yoga is a great addition to your fitness routine if you are experiencing constant back pain. Yoga can help lengthen your spine, strengthen your muscles, and return your back to its proper alignment. Over time, you will become more limber, and less stress will be placed on your back.

Becoming Productive

Living with back pain can make all of your daily tasks and activities more difficult, but there are many ways that you can exercise without making it worse. The key idea here is to stay physically active, but to be safe about it. By growing stronger and more flexible, your back issues may even start to go away on their own, allowing you to become more productive in the way you move.

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.