Introduction
Key points
- Low back pain is very common among adults and is often caused by overuse and muscle strain or injury. Treatment can help you stay as active as possible, and it will help you understand that some continued or repeated back pain is not surprising or dangerous.1
- Most low back pain can get better if you stay active, avoid positions and activities that may increase or cause back pain, use ice, and take nonprescription pain relievers when you need them.
- When you no longer have acute pain, you may be ready for gentle strengthening exercises for your stomach, back, and legs, and perhaps for some stretching exercises. Exercise may not only help decrease low back pain, but it may also help you recover faster, prevent reinjury to your back, and reduce the risk of disability from back pain.
- Exercises to reduce low back pain are not complicated and can be done at home without any special equipment.
- It's important that you don't let fear of pain keep you from trying gentle activity. You should try to be active soon after noticing pain, and gradually increase your activity level.1 Too little activity can lead to loss of flexibility, strength, and endurance, and then to more pain.
What exercises may reduce low back pain?
Why is it important to do exercises for low back pain?
How do I exercise to reduce low back pain?
Where can I learn more about exercises to reduce low back pain?
More information about low back pain:
Return to topic:
What exercises may reduce low back pain?
Exercises that may help reduce or prevent low back pain include:
- Aerobic exercise, to condition your heart and other muscles, maintain health, and speed recovery.
- Strengthening exercises, focusing on your back, stomach, and leg muscles.
- Stretching exercises, which keep your muscles and other supporting tissues flexible and less prone to injury.
Some exercises can aggravate back pain. If you have low back pain, avoid:
- Straight leg sit-ups.
- Bent leg sit-ups or partial sit-ups (curl-ups) when you have acute back pain.
- Lifting both legs while lying on your back (leg lifts).
- Lifting heavy weights above the waist (standing military press or bicep curls).
- Toe touches while standing.
Test Your Knowledge
- Do not exercise if you have low back pain.
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True
The answer is incorrect
If you have low back pain, doing aerobic, strengthening, and gentle stretching exercises may help you gain or maintain good health, strength, and flexibility. Certain exercises may reduce your low back pain.
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False
The answer is correct
If you have low back pain, doing aerobic, strengthening, and gentle stretching exercises may help you gain or maintain good health, strength, and flexibility. Certain exercises may reduce your low back pain.
Continue to Why is it important to do exercises for low back pain?
Return to Exercises to reduce low back pain
Why is it important to do exercises for low back pain?
Exercise and staying active may relieve low back pain and can help speed your recovery.2, 3 Stretching and strengthening your stomach, back, and leg muscles helps make them less susceptible to injury that can cause back pain. Strong stomach, back, and leg muscles also better support your spine, reducing pressure on your spinal discs. This may help prevent disc injury.
Aerobic exercises—such as walking, swimming, or walking in waist-deep water—also help you maintain a healthy back. Aerobic exercise makes your heart and other muscles use oxygen more efficiently. Muscles that frequently receive oxygen-rich blood stay healthier.
Test Your Knowledge
- Exercise and activity may help reduce the risk of disability from back pain.
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True
The answer is correct
Exercises stretch and strengthen your back, stomach, and legs. When these muscles are flexible and strong, they can help reduce the risk of disability from back pain.
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False
The answer is incorrect
Exercises stretch and strengthen your back, stomach, and legs. When these muscles are flexible and strong, they can help reduce the risk of disability from back pain.
Continue to How do I exercise to reduce low back pain?
Return to Exercises to reduce low back pain
How do I exercise to reduce low back pain?
Most people who have back pain naturally feel better by doing certain motions. Some feel better sitting (their back and hips are flexed), while others feel better standing (back and hips are extended). Exercise that moves you toward your more comfortable position is usually more successful in treating your back pain.4 For example, if you are more comfortable sitting down, exercises that bend you forward—such as partial sit-ups (curl-ups) and knee-to-chest exercises—may help you.
Talk to your health professional before you start an exercise program, and only do exercises that do not increase your symptoms.
The most effective exercise programs for chronic low back pain are designed specifically for you and are supervised.5 For example, a physical therapist might instruct you in a home exercise program; then you would see the therapist every so often to check on your progress and advance your program.
- Talk to your doctor or physical therapist if you are unsure how to do these exercises or if you feel any pain as you are doing the exercises.
- Try to exercise a little bit every day.
- Get some type of aerobic exercise, such as walking, every day. Even a couple of minutes will be helpful, and you can gradually increase your time.
- Choose a couple of stretching and strengthening exercises that you enjoy doing, or vary them from day to day.
Ask your doctor or physical therapist whether there are additional exercises that will work best for you.
Stretching and strengthening exercises include:
- Extension exercises, which stretch tissues along the front of the spine, strengthen the back muscles, and may decrease pain caused by a herniated disc. These are generally a good choice for people whose back pain is eased by standing and walking.
- Flexion exercises, which strengthen stomach and other muscles, and stretch the muscles and ligaments in the back. These are generally a good choice for people whose back pain is eased by sitting down.
- Additional strengthening and stretching exercises.
Aerobic exercise includes walking, swimming, running, and biking. Non–weight-bearing exercise, such as swimming, tends to be a better choice if you have back pain. Walking in water up to your waist or chest is also good aerobic exercise.
- You should keep taking easy, short walks when you have low back pain. You can usually start more intense aerobic exercise within 1 or 2 weeks after symptoms of back pain start.
- Begin with 5 to 10 minutes a day and gradually work up to 20 to 30 minutes of continuous activity per day.
Test Your Knowledge
- Exercises to reduce low back pain take a long time and are difficult to do.
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True
The answer is incorrect
Even 10 minutes of stretching and strengthening exercises each day can condition the muscles of the back, stomach, and legs, and may relieve low back pain. The exercises listed above do not involve complicated steps and can be done indoors without special equipment.
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False
The answer is correct
Even 10 minutes of stretching and strengthening exercises each day can condition the muscles of the back, stomach, and legs, and may relieve low back pain. The exercises listed above do not involve complicated steps and can be done indoors without special equipment.
Continue to Where can I learn more about exercises to reduce low back pain?
Return to Exercises to reduce low back pain
Where can I learn more about exercises to reduce low back pain?
For more information about exercises to reduce low back pain, talk to:
- Your doctor.
- A physical therapist.
If you would like more information on exercises to reduce low back pain, the following organizations can provide information:
Organizations
| American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) | |
| 6300 North River Road | |
| Rosemont, IL 60018-4262 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-346-AAOS (1-800-346-2267) (847) 823-7186 |
| Fax: | (847) 823-8125 |
| E-mail: | pemr@aaos.org |
| Web Address: | www.aaos.org |
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The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) provides information and education to raise the public's awareness of musculoskeletal conditions, with an emphasis on preventive measures. The AAOS Web site contains information on orthopedic conditions and treatments, injury prevention, and wellness and exercise. |
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| Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor | |
| 200 Constitution Avenue | |
| Washington, DC 20210 | |
| Phone: | 1-800-321-OSHA (1-800-321-6742) (202) 693-1999 |
| TDD: | 1-877-889-5627 |
| Web Address: | www.osha.gov |
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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) provides information about hazards at the workplace and about worker safety. |
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Return to Exercises to reduce low back pain
References
Citations
Carragee EJ (2005). Persistent low back pain. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(18): 1891–1898.
Van Tulder M, Koes B (2004). Low back pain (acute). Clinical Evidence (12): 1643–1658.
Van Tulder M, Koes B (2004). Low back pain (chronic). Clinical Evidence (12): 1657–1682.
Long A, et al. (2004). Does it matter which exercise? Spine, 29(23): 2593–2602.
Hayden JA, et al. (2005). Systematic review: Strategies for using exercise therapy to improve outcomes in chronic low back pain. Annals of Internal Medicine, 142(9): 776–785.
Credits
| Author | Shannon Erstad, MBA/MPH |
| Author | Lila Havens |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Katy E. Magee, MA |
| Associate Editor | Michele Cronen |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Kathie Hummel-Berry, PT, PhD - Physical Therapy |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Robert B. Keller, MD - Orthopedics |
| Last Updated | February 15, 2006 |
Lila Havens
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