Got Back Pain? Get Up and Move!

By Stepy Kamei

If you're struggling with any sort of acute pain or discomfort in your back, you can take comfort in knowing that this is an extremely common health concern. In fact, it's one of the top causes of visits to urgent care every year. You've probably been advised by well-intentioned family and friends to take it easy and limit your movement as much as possible. As counterintuitive as it may sound, it turns out that getting plenty of physical movement while recovering from a bout of back pain is crucial toward helping you recover and get relief faster. To be clear, it's not recommended that you start taking up daily five-mile runs while nursing a hurting back; you simply want to make sure your muscles don't become stiff and sore from a lack of activity. 

How Movement Improves Back Pain

An important thing to keep in mind about staying physically active is that movement serves to promote blood flow throughout the body, including to the affected area of your back. Increased blood flow works to potentially reduce inflammation and ease muscle tension in the surrounding area. 

Low-Impact Exercises Can Help

You know you should exercise regularly, and your recovery time is no exception. Rely on gentle, low-impact exercise moves and routines for the most beneficial workout sessions. The simplest thing you can do for your body is to take walks on a daily basis. Just spending 20 minutes outside is a great way to get your blood flowing.

When you're ready to kick things up a notch, go for a swim or try indoor cycling. Swimming naturally creates resistance, which is great for conditioning and toning your muscles in a safe and healthy manner. Cycling in an indoor setting allows you to completely control the pace and length of the exercise so you won't ever have to worry about straining yourself. Also, there are no cars to contend with.

Finally, you may want to consider seeing a chiropractor on a regular basis for improved back health. Learn about a safe and effective way to experience relief from back pain by trying out The Joint Chiropractic services. Chiropractors will use manual manipulation techniques, which are natural methods to ease muscle tension and improve blood circulation. If you're worried about insurance policy problems, keep in mind that The Joint offers walk-in service without having to deal with the hassle of insurance. This business model keeps you feeling free of stress, knowing you're placing your health in good hands.