Home Exercises for Back Pain!

Most of us will have minor back pain at some point in our life. As a rule our everyday body movements usually do not cause us problems, but symptoms can develop from everyday wear and tear, slouching, overuse, or injury.

Back pain can cause problems anywhere from the neck to the coccyx (tailbone). Our back consists of:

• The vertebrae (bones and joints).
• Discs separate the vertebrae and act as a shock absorber.
• Muscles and ligaments hold the spine together.

Back injuries are the most common cause of back pain and bad posture is a very close second. Often the two occur together because after an injury many people tend to slouch and this can make the pain worse. Good posture means your ears, shoulders, and hips are in alignment; if this causes you pain then you may have another condition such as a problem with a disc or bones in your back.

No matter the cause of mild back pain there are some stretches and exercises you can do at home to help alleviate the discomfort. Always remember to never attempt doing any stretch or exercise until a qualified health professional has given you the go ahead so that you don't cause further harm.

When you have the ok from a qualified health professional to do some stretching or exercises at home keep the following in mind:

• Wear comfortable clothing.
• Stretching should never hurt.
• Move into a stretch slowly.
• Hold stretches long enough (20-30 seconds) to allow your muscles to become loose.

Stretch #1

Kneel on all fours, with your knees directly under your hips and your hands under shoulders. Do not over-arch your back. Keep your neck stretched out, your shoulders held back, and always have your elbows slightly bent.

Slowly push backwards with your bottom making sure to maintain the natural curve in your spine. Hold the stretch for one deep breath and return to the starting position. Repeat ten to twelve times.

Stretch #2

Find a comfortable rug or mat and lie on your back. Place a small flat cushion under your head. Pull your legs up keeping your knees bent together with your feet flat on the floor. Keep your upper body relaxed and your chin gently tucked in.

Slowly roll your knees to one side, followed by your pelvis; be sure to keep both shoulders on the floor. Hold the stretch for one deep breath and return to the starting position. Then roll your knees to the other side and hold the stretch for one deep breath.  Repeat ten to twelve times making sure you alternate sides.

Stretch #3

Find a comfortable rug or mat and lie on your stomach. Prop yourself on your elbows, lengthening your spine. Keep your shoulders back and stretch out your neck.

Keeping your neck extended, arch your back up by pushing down on your hands. You should feel a gentle stretch in the stomach muscles as you arch backwards. Be sure to keep your hips on the ground. Breathe and hold for ten to fifteen seconds (whatever you are able to). Return to the starting position and repeat ten to twelve times.

Stretch #4

Find a comfortable rug or mat land lie on your back. Place a small, flat cushion under your head. Bend your knees and keep your feet flat on the floor at hip-width apart.

As you breathe out pull up the muscles of your pelvis and lower abdominals, as though you were pulling up a zipper along your stomach. Hold this gentle contraction while breathing from your abdomen anywhere between five and ten seconds, then gently let go. Be sure to keep the legs, shoulders and neck are relaxed. Repeat ten to twelve times.

Established in 2007 by Dr. Behfar Sanjari, Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has been committed to providing quality health care services to the Greater Toronto Area for over half a decade. Chiro-Med Rehab Centre has qualified professionals who can help you come up with a personalized plan to ensure the stretches and exercises will benefit the health of your spine. We have clinics located in Richmond Hill and Newmarket, visit Chiro-Med online or call 905-918-0419 or 905-235-2620 for more information.