5 Activities that May Help Keep Chronic Back Pain at Bay
Posted on March 2, 2021
You may have chronic back pain because of injury, bad posture, or hours spent sitting at your desk. But trying to avoid the pain and leading a predominantly sedentary lifestyle can be even more detrimental. Many people resort to taking more pain medication and overexerting themselves. This lifestyle is not a smart choice, either.
While it’s difficult to find something fun to do that won’t cause even more pain, some activities that may improve your back health, depending on how severe your problem is. Here are a few good options.
Exercise*
Perhaps not perceived as fun by everyone, exercising is still crucial if you want to stay healthy, and it could even relieve back pain. Depending on the cause of your back pain, strength exercises for the back and abdominal muscles might be able to improve your condition.
When the muscles around your spine are smaller and weaker, you tire more easily. That’s why some people experience muscle stiffness more often, which leads to greater back pain. Stronger muscles will support your spine and give you greater freedom of movement. Weightlifting, biking, or doing a simple plank exercise may prove beneficial, but start light and choose an activity that doesn’t aggravate the problem.
* IMPORTANT NOTE: When exercising, never push yourself past the point of experiencing pain. Always consult with your pain doctor before engaging in any physical activities that may be unsafe for your individual pain condition.
Swim
Swimming is always a fun activity that you can do either at your home or public swimming pool, or at your local beach, if you live conveniently near the shore. When you’re in the water, your body will feel lighter, and there will be less pressure on your spine and joints. Swimming can provide pain relief, depending on your condition. If swimming feels comfortable, you can even try to do a few spine-friendly exercises while you’re in the water.
Visit a Local Spa
Taking a self-care day and visiting a local spa will be great for both your mental and physical health. If it doesn’t cause too much discomfort, go for a relaxing massage. Many people with back pain swear by massages, which may help to depressurize your spine and offer relief to your stiff muscles. Many spas also have swimming pools, gyms, and even Pilates classes, all of which have reportedly relieved people’s chronic back pain in certain situations.
Yoga
More interesting than physical therapy, yoga can offer many of the same benefits. Some people report increased mobility, stronger back muscles, and feeling less pain after yoga sessions. Of course, it all depends on the nature and severity of your condition. While you can easily do a few yoga exercises at home, it’s ideal if you can hire a professional and experienced yogi who will ensure that you don’t do any dangerous poses.
Dance
Chronic back pain shouldn’t prevent you from having fun, and few things are as fun as dancing… which also happens to be a great form of exercise. Provided that your pain doctor gives you the green light to engage in this activity, you may be able to lessen your back pain while also improving your cardiovascular health.
Is Back Pain Keeping You from Enjoying Life?
If you suffer from chronic back pain, the expert pain management physicians at Riverside Pain Physicians can help. We will work with you to determine the cause of your pain and develop an individualized treatment plan to relieve your suffering and restore quality of life.
If you suffer from chronic back pain, don’t suffer needlessly. Reach out to us today at Riverside Pain Physicians by calling 904.389.1010, or clicking here to make an appointment online.
Tags: back-pain-treatment-jacksonville, chronic back pain treatment, Chronic Pain Physician Jacksonville