Exercise and chronic back pain

New research concludes that people with low back pain will achieve greater benefits by exercising more, not less.

A University of Alberta study of 240 men and women with chronic low back pain showed that those who exercised four days a week had a better quality of life, 28 percent less pain and 36 percent less disability. Those who hit the gym only two or three days a week did not show the same level of change.

"While it could be assumed that someone with back pain should not be exercising frequently, our findings show that working with weights four days a week provides the greatest amount of pain relief and quality of life," said Robert Kell, lead author of the study.

In the study, the participants were split into four groups of 60. One group exercised with weights two days a week, another three days a week, a third group 4 days a week, and the fourth did not exercise with weights. All groups were tracked for 16 weeks. The level of pain decreased by 28 percent in the four days a week group, 18 percent at three days and 14 percent at two days. The quality of life, defined as general physical and mental well-being, rose by 28 percent, 22 percent and 16 percent respectively.

Every case of back pain is specific to the individual, so this does not mean you should just run out and start lifting weights today. If you have back pain, you should get a complete examination by a doctor who treats back pain every day. Chiropractors are specially trained to diagnose and treat low back pain.

For more details on this study, or to schedule a free consultation, email [email protected] or call Cunningham Chiropractic at (208) 635-5658.