Back pain will occur in every 8 out of 10 people in the United Sates, according to researchers. This seemingly inevitable event is exacerbated throughout out everyday lives, from our workspace and commute, to exercise and daily chores. While many people think that exercise, even the slightest activity, will worsen chronic pain symptoms, it actually has the opposite effect. Exercise and movement helps relieve chronic pain, in most cases.
At Southwest Spine and Pain Center, we know the affect that chronic pain has on American society. Because of this, we design and implement treatment strategies that can help chronic pain sufferers with various conditions: sciatica, back pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, and much more. With four locations across Utah, Southwest Spine and Pain Center is the leading pain management facility in the southwest United States.
Working out with chronic pain is easy, really. If you wish to implement movements and structured exercises to your treatment plan, we suggest that you talk to a Southwest Spine and Pain physician first, to learn which exercises are right for you. Please review this list on the top 10 rules for designing a workout plan that can relieve your chronic back pain:
- Move from the hips- not the back. If you put too much responsibility from your workouts on your lumbar spine, it will have to over-compensate for the inadequate support of the legs and hips.
- Stay at a sustainable pace. Do not push your body too hard or too fast. Allow your body recover and build endurance for harder workouts.
- Find a baseline workout that will not cause pain. Understand your body and know when to stop working out. If you are not aware of your chronic condition, you are likely to exacerbate painful symptoms from exercise. Talk to a Southwest Spine and Pain physician about proper workouts.
- Avoid reaching. This could put excess stress on the lumbar spine.
- Use exercises that provide spine support. Place your feet farther apart during our workouts to provide more support to the spine.
- Unload pressure on the spine. Depressurizing the spinal discs will be greatly advantageous and allow you to work out with less pain.
- Start at a slow pace with low repetition. Start small and build up to a harder workout. Don’t expend all your efforts to a ridiculously hard workout the first time.
- Choose exercises that don’t require manipulative spine posture. The lumbar spine is at risk of overextension while doing push-ups. A good alternative is to do a kneeling push up.
- Have fun!
If chronic pain is impacting your life, don't wait to schedule an appointment at Southwest Spine and Pain Center. With three locations and growing, the pain management specialists at Southwest Spine and Pain Center are dedicated to helping those who suffer from chronic pain live the life they want to! To schedule an appointment, visit our locations tab!
The advice and information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to replace or counter a physician’s advice or judgment. Please always consult your physician before taking any advice learned here or in any other educational medical material.
©Southwest Spine and Pain Center, 2014
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