Five of the
Best
Lower Back Pain Exercises
It is estimated that up to 80% of us will suffer from some form of back trouble,
sometime in our lives and therefore it is important that we know about lower back pain exercises. Many back conditions are
due to bad posture or work related movements.
While others may be due to injury or illness. Millions of work days are lost each
year as a direct result of back problems, particularly lower back pain. So why are we not looking after our
backs better?
Hindsight is a very valuable gift, which is why most of us don't
think about taking care of our backs until it is too late and they hurt.
Heavy and incorrect lifting, housework, gardening even driving all
take their toll and put stress and strain on the back.
Many people are required at work to sit in an office for long hours,
often in an inappropriate chair and really should perform some lowerback pain
exercises.
Surprisingly, inactivity is one of the biggest causes of lower back
pain.
How To Improve Your Posture
Besides these lifestyle factors connected with lower back pain, sprained ligaments
,lower back injuries, slipped disc, sciatica, pregnancy or strain in the muscles can contribute to lower back
pain.
Whatever the reason, it can cause immense pain and discomfort and be
very debilitating.
The treatment for someone with lower back pain involves giving them
pain relief in the form of medication such as an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, massages and
exercises.
Exercises that are designed to strengthen the muscles of the
stomach, legs and back are recommended. Along with certain stretching exercises to keep the muscles and tissue
flexible.
Here I have outlined five of the best lower back pain exercises. For good back
health, these should be maintained even when the lower back pain has ceased. Some of these are very quick, but
simple and aim to strengthen your core muscles that will support your back.
As always, before embarking on any treatment yourself, it is advisable to see your
doctor first to get an accurate diagnosis. This is because some back conditions need to be treated in very
different ways, such as a slipped disc, and you could do more harm than good.
Pelvic Tilts Lower Back Pain Exercises
This exercise is for strengthening lower back muscles. Lie on your
back on an exercise mat and place your hands on your stomach. Squeeze your pelvic and abdominal muscles, (this can
sometimes take some practice), and press your upper body on the floor, making the curve of your back almost
straight. Repeat twelve to fifteen times.
Cat Arch Stretch Lower Back Pain
ExercisesGet down on all fours with your palms flat on the floor
below your shoulders and your knees below your hips. Drop your head down and stretching your hips, gently try to
raise your back from the middle towards the ceiling. Your back should form a curve towards the ceiling. Hold this
position for fifteen seconds then return to the start position. Doing this in front of a mirror can help get the
correct position. Repeat twelve to fifteen times.
Lower Back Pain Exercises Knee to Chest
This exercise is good at relieving the stress on your lower back and relieving
lower back pain. Lie on an exercise mat, bend one of your knees and bring it close in to your chest. Extend your
other leg along the floor. You can support your knee with your hands. Hold this position for fifteen seconds.
Repeat the exercise on the other leg. Do this exercise ten times on each leg.
Back Extension
These stretches for lower back pain treatment help strengthen back muscles. For this
exercise, lie down on your stomach, near the edge of your bed. Your upper body, just above your hips, should be
positioned hanging outside the bed, parallel to the floor.. Keeping your hands crossed on your chest, bend your
upper body to make your head touch the ground. Come back to the start position and repeat twelve to fifteen
times.
Lower Back Pain Exercises - Hamstring
Stretch
Tight hamstrings often occur when you have been in a seated position for long periods
of time. This can cause lower back pain. To stretch hamstrings, lie on your back on a mat with your legs straight
out in front of you.
Lift your left leg up and hold the back of your hamstring. Pull your leg towards
your body as far as you comfortably can. Hold this position for twenty to thirty seconds. Slowly release and repeat
with the other leg. Repeat this exercise five times with each leg
These a just a few exercises for lower back pain. Some warm up exercises are
advisable before you start such as walking. And as with most things prevention is better than cure. All the above
lower back pain exercises should be performed on a regular basis to keep your back healthy and pain
free.
To get some great exercises to improve your posture click here.
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