Exercise More, Not Less to Relieve Your Aching Back

While an aching back or stiff neck may make you tend to think you’re overdoing it with the exercise, studies say that may not be so.

While every patient is different and it is recommended that you visit with your family doctor before beginning any type of exercise program, a recent study has shown that more exercise — if done properly — can help curb minor back and neck pain rather than exacerbate it. Of course, exercise won’t repair chronic pain or spinal injuries, but it sure can help fix acute injuries from overdoing something that often come from improper lifting or through bodily twist and turns.

A recent study conducted at the University of Alberta followed 240 men and women with lower-back pain over a four-month period. Findings showed that those who exercised four days a week with weights had a better quality of life, 28 percent had less pain, and 36 percent had less disability. This compared with those who exercised only occasionally each week and without using weights, and did not show the same level change.

“While it could be assumed that someone with back pain should not be exercising frequently, our findings show that working with weights four times a week provides the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life,” said Robert Kell, lead author of the study and an assistant professor of exercise physiology at the University of Alberta, Augustana Campus. Kell presented his findings at the recent American College of Sports Medicine conference held in Seattle, Wash.

If you are a candidate for a minimally-invasive spine surgery, ask us about exercise programs that are right for you. We will be recommending adding a regular exercise routine to your lifestyle once you are able to resume normal activities. After all, exercise — regardless of your condition to begin with — is often considered one of the most practical solutions for keeping your mind and body fit and in optimal condition.

Tags: Back Pain, Excerise, Medical Tips