Exercise is effective when treating back pain: But is it right for you?

Back pain is a common problem among people of all shapes, sizes, ages and professions.  There are also a variety of conservative treatment options available to help avoid invasive procedures.  Conservative treatments are methods that do not involve surgery.  For example, taking yoga classes to manage back pain is an example of using a conservative method to alleviate pain and even prevent future injury. 

Additionally, it is important to remember that physical therapy is an active treatment.  The key difference between active and passive remedies is that passive treatments are being performed on a patient rather than a patient performing them.  Medication, for instance, passively treats muscle pain.  Moreover, while massage therapists say that regular massages can help strengthen muscle, this form of treatment is still considered passive because patients are not active participants in the therapy. 

Meanwhile, with active physical therapy, patients must practice self discipline.  It is always important to take responsibility for your health; however, exercise usually requires a willingness to follow the program independently.  For example, you may attend physical therapy sessions but also be assigned exercises to complete at home. 

Or, if you are using exercise as a means of preventing future injury and improving your overall condition, you may take classes at a local health club, which certainly takes discipline.  Most importantly, before beginning any exercise program, patients should always consult a physician. 

Doing so will ensure that the regiment is suited for the type of back pain that is occurring.  Of course, most people do not put much thought into the type of muscle pain they experience.  Still, there are different types of back pain, which in turn, should play a role in determining which type of active therapy you rely upon for healing.

Acute and subacute back pain: Mixture of rest and exercise is best

The earliest phase of back pain is called the acute phase and lasts less than one month.  This type of pain typically occurs in the lower back with most descriptions ranging from sharp pain to dull ache and many patients report that they feel the pain more intensely on one side than the other.  Though exercise is beneficial in regaining flexibility and strengthening muscles, it is not recommended during the initial phase of acute back pain, which lasts one to five days. 

Since injuries such as strained muscles usually cause acute back pain, it is best not to overexert the weakened muscle.  Moreover, there is a good chance that surrounding muscles will compensate for the injured area; thus, these muscles are at risk for injury.  Instead, most physicians recommend a short period of rest during the initial phase of acute back pain. 

This resting period should last no longer than two days in order to prevent muscle loss.  Moreover, back pain, especially if it is recurrent or chronic, has been shown to trigger depression in some patients.  Too much rest only adds to the potential for lack of motivation, which is just the opposite of what is necessary for recovery.  In addition, physicians also recommend utilization of passive therapies such as hot and cold therapies, medication and massage during the initial phase of acute back pain.

After the first couple of days, physical activity should be re-established.  Furthermore, once the first five days have ended, the initial phase of acute back pain is finished.  The acute phase in its entirety lasts less than a month and becomes subacute back pain, which lasts one to three months. 

During the acute and subacute phases, patients are typically allowed to begin exercises programs.  Of course, jogging and high impact aerobics are still out of the question.  Instead, you will be better served in continuing basic daily activities with some caution and incorporating low-impact exercise like walking. 

Just remember to wear supportive shoes and avoid walking on pavement when possible.  If there are grassy areas, for instance, walk in those places.  Softer ground means less impact on joints.  If you are unable or are otherwise uninterested in outdoor exercises, it is also safe to use stationary equipment such as a treadmill, bicycle or elliptical machine.  In addition, mild stretching exercises should be practiced to improve flexibility.

Exercise is essential for alleviating chronic and recurrent acute back pain

Whereas acute back pain is most often brought on by injury, chronic back pain takes hold in the nervous system and lasts more than three months.  Furthermore, researchers have found that exercise is more helpful in alleviating chronic back pain than acute and subacute back pain. 

Physical activity has several benefits when it comes to treating lower back pain.  First, many exercises improve flexibility, which is vital in relieving chronic back pain.  When muscles are too tight, the spine is imbalanced and even simple movements can become very uncomfortable.  Stretching frees tightened muscles and restores mobility. 

Additionally, stabilization exercises like Pilates and yoga, for instance, help strengthen core muscles and keep the spine in a neutral position.  Moreover, strong muscles do not strain or become fatigued as easily.  And finally, low-impact aerobic activities condition and strengthen muscles. 

This keeps the spine balanced and prevents injury.  Not only is aerobic exercise good for muscles, it is beneficial overall.  As mentioned, patients with chronic back pain may also become patients diagnosed with depression.  However, exercise has also been proven to increase serotonin, a neurotransmitter in the brain that acts as a natural antidepressant.  Still, it is important to remember that passive conservative treatments such as hot and cold therapies, medication and massage therapy may be utilized when managing chronic back pain.

On the other hand, recurrent acute back pain typically occurs when the acute pain previously experienced by a patient flares up again.  Most patients have at least one repeated incident of acute back pain.  Nevertheless, the best way to prevent this from happening is to strengthen and condition the muscles. 

Since weak muscles are strained easier than well-conditioned ones, exercise is an integral part of preventing recurrent acute back pain.  However, if you encounter this problem, it is best to follow the same pattern as before, taking a brief period of rest and then carefully adding stretching and conditioning exercises to your routine. 

Moreover, if you have a hobby or occupation that is hard on your muscles and joints, additional support may be necessary.  For example, if you work in a place that requires a lot of lifting, it is wise to wear a lifting belt.  This back brace, often made of cloth or canvas, assists muscles that would otherwise become fatigued and easily strained.