Get moving to ease lower back pain

May is National Physical Fitness and Sports month, so what better reason is there to get moving? Research concludes that people with low back pain will achieve greater benefits by exercising more, not less. Exercise may be the last thing you want to do when you have chronic pain because it seems to add to your pain. But if you don't exercise, your body gets out of shape, muscles lose their conditioning, and your pain actually increases because your body is not functioning as well as it could.

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 2 or 3 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.

There are many benefits of exercise when it comes to chronic pain. Keeping the joints moving well is especially important for those with arthritis. Exercise also keeps your muscles strong. Strong muscles support your body and bones better, and that is especially important for patients with chronic back pain. Your spine needs all the help it can get in cushioning your movements and supporting your weight, so you should work on keeping your back and core muscles in good condition.

Staying active is good for your mental health. Chronic pain patients can struggle with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues because it is difficult for them to live their life as they once did.

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, such as a chiropractor or physical therapist.

For more details on this study, or to schedule a free consultation, email haydenhealth@gmail.com or call Cunningham Chiropractic at (208) 635-5658.