Why is Stretching and Exercise made for Back Pain Relief?

A typical response to experiencing back pain is to take it easy - either staying in bed or at least stopping any activity that is at all strenuous. While this approach is understandable and may even be recommended in the short term, when done for more than a day or two it can actually undermine healing. Instead, active forms of back exercises are almost always necessary to rehabilitate the spine and help alleviate back pain.

When performed in a controlled environment and taken in a gradual, progressive manner an active back exercise regime can distribute nutrients into the discs and soft tissues in the back, keeping the muscles joints and ligaments healthy. Therefore when you regularly keep up a routine of lower back exercises this helps to avoid stiffness and weaknesses. This can reduce the acuteness and the length of possible future attacks of low back pain.

Different exercise and healing programs will be needed depending on the persons specific problems. It is important to seek professional advice from a trained specialist to develop an individual back exercise course and get specialist advice on using the correct techniques.

With most back pain conditions it is important not to rest and do nothing. It is advisable to start a back exercise and stretching course tailored specifically to your requirements. Acting within your own abilities and embarking on a specific regime is necessary to help reduce pain and encourage healing. The course of stretching and exercise will be effective if the program is comprehensive, targeting the back and also working the whole body. Physical therapists commonly advise back pain suffers to use two types of exercise, 'McKenzie' and 'Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization', as comprehensive forms of exercise programs.

It is key to perform a balanced workout of stretching, strengthening and low impact aerobic exercises for improving back pain conditions.

Using stretching within your routine of back exercises;
Nearly all back pain sufferers can benefit from stretching the soft tissues (muscles, ligaments & tendons) around the spine and in the back. These soft tissues are designed for movement and reduced motion can increase the problems. A varied program will train and stretch different muscles and ligaments and is essential for maintaining flexibility and mobility. People with a chronic back pain problem may need to keep up a stretching program for weeks or months before there is an improvement in mobilizing the spine and soft tissues. Increases in motion gained from stretching and back exercises will provide meaningful relief from low back pain.

The most important muscles to target during back exercises are:
Hamstrings in the back of the leg to aid correct posture while sitting and standing, and support the gluteus muscles in the buttocks and the hip flexors and minimize stress on the low back.
Piriformis, which run from the back of the femur (thigh bone) to the sacrum (the base of the spine). When tight, this muscle can cause sciatica-like pain, and has been linked to sacroiliac joint dysfunction.
Psoas Major, which is attached to the front portion of the lower spine and can greatly limit low back mobility if tight, making it hard to stand for extended periods or kneel on both knees.
Gluteus muscles of the buttocks, which support hip flexibility as well as the pelvis.
Stretching should be done daily, perhaps several times a day, to ensure flexibility.

Stretching will improve your posture and alignment and ease your back pain.
Stretching will lessen muscle stiffness and soreness, increasing your flexibility and reducing the risk of injury.
Learn more about how Stretching, Pilates & Massage can help you......