Exercise Found Best for an Achy Back

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Many patients with chronic back pain wonder how to keep the pain from becoming worse or returning. Research suggests that exercise may be the best way to prevent back pain.

The recent literature review involved an analysis of 20 studies testing various methods of preventing back pain such as exercise, stress management, ergonomic education, training in ergonomic lifting methods, lumbar-support back belts, shoe inserts, and programs to reduce lifting frequency at work. The authors of the review analyzed and compared the outcomes of each treatment.

Of the treatments analyzed, only exercise was shown to consistently produce substantial relief of back pain. Most of the exercise studies focused on methods of strengthening the abdominal and back muscles. Of the studies involving exercise intervention, 7 of 8 scientific studies concluded that exercise resulted in a statistically significant improvement in back pain. In one study, patients who exercised had 127 fewer sick days than those who were inactive.

Exercise is crucial component of chiropractic treatment. A doctor of chiropractic can show you how to perform safe exercises for reducing back pain.

Reference:

Bigos S, Holland J, Holland C, Webster J, Battie, Malmgren J. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 2009; 9: 147-168.