By Donna V. Scaglione
Chances are you’ve had to deal with lower back pain. Most of us do. Eight out of 10 people suffer with it at some point, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Most often, the pain eventually goes away, but not without disrupting our lives and making the most routine of activities, like getting out of bed, extremely difficult.
But there are ways to decrease the suffering and work to keep the pain from returning.
1. Exercise
You might think that refraining from exercise will help your back pain, but actually the opposite is true. With inactivity, the body becomes less conditioned, which can result in even more pain when you do move. While limiting exercise when your pain is particularly acute may be recommended, do go on with your daily routine and exercises as soon as your doctor gives you the green light.
The best exercises to do with lower back pain are moderate activities that strengthen the muscles of the legs, stomach, and back, says InteliHealth.com. Core stabilization exercises — those that work the muscles of your trunk and keep your back strong and stable — can be especially helpful. A physical therapist or other spine specialist can help you devise a routine for your particular condition.
