Regular exercise is an important part of any balanced, healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, for many people, chronic low back pain from exercise — or any other type of activity — is painful and sometimes impossible.
Low back pain affects every one of us at some point in our lives and is one of the main reasons for doctor visits. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (ASOS), approximately six million Americans see their doctor each year for low back pain and nearly 500,000 have to be hospitalized.
However, as medical professionals learn more about the causes and effects of chronic back pain, their approaches to treatment are changing. For example, fewer doctors recommend bed rest. In addition to the course of treatment leading to strong or weak muscles, physical inactivity can lead to more serious chronic problems such as weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. Today's patients have many treatment options, most of which promote at least some form of physical activity.
Experts say that moderate exercise three to five times a week not only improves overall fitness, but also reduces the chances of back pain. Here are some tips from the North American Spine Society and the Journal of Physicians and Sports Medicine:
Use doctor-approved stretches to relax the lower and upper back and associated muscles, including the hamstrings and quadriceps.
Strengthen the muscles that support the back and work on improving the flexibility of the back.
Exercise in the right form to maximize benefits and reduce stress.
"We always strive to find treatments that will help patients stay afloat and increase their activity levels. Nagy, MD, PhD, chair of pain management at the Cleveland Clinic, says," A person in good physical shape is much less likely to injure their spine during work or daily activities than a passive person. "People see better results. Those who are not active take longer to recover," he said.
If low back pain interferes with daily activities and exercise, patients should consult a physician to learn more about their condition and treatment options.
For some patients, nonmedical palliative treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy may provide relief. For others, back pain may be due to the slow deterioration of the vertebral discs, a condition known as chronic "disc-related or isogenic" low back pain. With age or injury, cracks and fissures develop in the wall of the disc. Small nerve endings find their way into fractures that cause chronic pain. Patients with this type of pain may benefit from invasive procedures such as spinal fusion and disk replacement surgery or the minimally invasive procedure such as intradermal therapy (IDE) procedure.
Clinical studies suggest that 60 to 80 percent of patients with the IDE procedure achieve a 50 percent reduction in lower back pain after the procedure. Studies show that patients need less medication after a procedure to manage pain and are more likely to return to work.
Regular exercise is an important part of any balanced, healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, for many people, chronic low back pain from exercise — or any other type of activity — is painful and sometimes impossible.
Low back pain affects every one of us at some point in our lives and is one of the main reasons for doctor visits. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAS), approximately six million Americans see their doctor each year for low back pain and nearly 500,000 have to be hospitalized.
However, as medical professionals learn more about the causes and effects of chronic back pain, their approaches to treatment are changing. For example, fewer doctors recommend bed rest. In addition to the course of treatment leading to strong or weak muscles, physical inactivity can lead to more serious chronic problems such as weight gain, heart disease and diabetes. Today's patients have many treatment options, most of which promote at least some form of physical activity.
Experts say that moderate exercise three to five times a week not only improves overall fitness, but also reduces the chances of back pain. Here are some tips from the North American Spine Society and the Journal of Physicians and Sports Medicine:
Use doctor-approved stretches to relax the lower and upper back and related muscles, including hamstrings and quadriceps.
Strengthen the muscles that support the back and work on improving the flexibility of the back.
Exercise in the right form to maximize benefits and reduce stress.
"We always strive to find treatments that will help patients stay afloat and increase their activity levels. Nagy, MD, PhD, chair of pain management at the Cleveland Clinic, says," A person in good physical shape is much less likely to injure their spine during work or daily activities than a passive person. "People see better results. Those who are not active take longer to recover," he said.
If low back pain interferes with daily activities and exercise, patients should consult a physician to learn more about their condition and treatment options.
For some patients, nonmedical palliative treatments such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy may provide relief. For others, low back pain may be due to the slow deterioration of the vertebral discs, a condition known as chronic "disc-related or disco genii" low back pain. With age or injury, cracks and fissures develop in the wall of the disc. Small nerve endings find their way into fractures that cause chronic pain. Patients with this type of pain may benefit from minimally invasive procedures such as spinal fusion and disc replacement surgery or intradermal therapy.
Clinical studies suggest that 60 to 80 percent of patients with the IDE procedure achieve a 50 percent reduction in lower back pain after the procedure. Studies show that patients need less medication after a procedure to manage pain and are more likely to return to work.
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