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Lower Back Exercises
Lower back exercises are one conservative method of
treating back pain.
Exercises can be done with a professional fitness trainer or
physical therapist,
but can also be done by virtually any patient at home. While exercise is advised as part of a general health maintenance program, it is usually not a stand alone cure for any variety of
lower back pain.
Indications for Lower Back ExercisesPain Relief from Lower Back ExercisesPhysical therapy is one of the oldest and most respected facets of the back pain industry. However, it is not exactly clear to doctors or patients how exercise is supposed to help to sooth pain due to any of the common structural causations, such as spinal stenosis, herniated discs or pinched nerves. Many patients with diagnosed spinal abnormalities might enjoy symptomatic relief from their pain during exercise therapy. If the actual cause of the pain matched the diagnosis, this would rarely occur… a fact which supports the theory that there are an overwhelming number of misdiagnosed patients in the healthcare system. The actual source of pain relief for most of these patients is the increased oxygenation provided to the painful area of the back. When increased circulation provides measurable symptomatic reduction, I am almost always inclined to see the actual cause of the pain as being ischemic… NOT structural.Examples of Lower Back ExercisesSome of the best exercises for the lower back include crunches, rowing, resistance training and many specialized programs such as:It is crucial to understand correct form and posture when doing any exercise and this is especially true when working out with weights. Take the time to learn about exercising safely by consulting a qualified trainer or therapist. There are tons of excellent workout programs available in health clubs and even on DVD. You can mix and match your chosen exercise routines to build diversity and interest factor into your training regimen. As always, do not work out when you are in pain. This can lead to an escalation or perpetuation of the agonizing condition and might even do permanent damage to your back. Advice on Lower Back ExercisesAs a professional martial artist and fitness trainer, I always loved exercise. However, when many of my doctors advised using it as a treatment for my horrific back pain, I was a bit bewildered. I understood exactly how exercise worked and its effects on the body. I did not understand how it was going to have any hope of curing my herniated discs, scoliosis or degenerative disc disease. When I pressed these doctors for an explanation which made sense, I discovered that they typically did not have any real understanding of why exercise was prescribed either!!! This was a real shock at the time, but now I find this to be business as usual in the back pain industry. Always remember to be an informed patient. Ask questions and do not take advice blindly. Talk to your doctor about what their prescribed exercises are intended to do and make sure they can answer your questions in a way which makes sense to you. My advice is to work out for good health, but do not trust exercise to be the miracle you have dreamed about in your quest for back pain relief.
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