A Healthier Spine Through Exercise

Exercise is one of the best preventative measures we can take to maintain good health. Generally, exercise increases physical strength and improves longevity. Specific exercises can also address and improve many types of spine pain.

When our back hurts, exercise is often low on our list of treatment options. Many people try to ease back pain with bed rest and by avoiding any strenuous exercise. Although rest may be beneficial for a day or two, bed rest for an extended period of time is not a good idea, and may even make it more difficult to recover.

Exercise can help with back pain

Exercise is almost always necessary to rehabilitate the spine and ease pain; it is also an excellent preventative measure to help ward off back pain and back problems before they begin. Appropriate exercise helps to distribute nutrients into the disc space and the soft tissues that support the spine. If your back is healthy, routine exercise can help to avoid a stiff or weak spine. If you experience episodes of back pain, focused exercises can minimize or reduce pain, and may even resolve it.

Types of exercise for spine health

A balanced workout of exercises focused on spine health includes:

  • Stretching exercises. These exercises focus on stretching the muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the back, legs, buttock, and around the spine.
  • Strengthening exercises. Well-conditioned back muscles can withstand more stress and protect the spine more effectively. Strengthening exercises can help to prevent or minimize back injuries and can also relieve the pain of many back conditions.
  • Low-impact aerobic conditioning. Aerobic exercise is designed to increase your heart rate for a sustained period of time. This increases blood flow to back structures, supporting healing by delivering nutrients to spine discs and soft tissues. Aerobics also eases the stiffness that can cause back pain.

Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive spine expertise

Our back specialists diagnose spine problems and design custom treatment plans built on a conservative, nonsurgical approach. Most patients find relief through treatments including guided injections, specialized physical therapy, biofeedback, exercise, activity modification, and medication. When conservative care does not relieve symptoms, our highly skilled surgeons offer proven, evidence-based surgical options. Together with you, we will determine the right course of action.

Start your journey to a healthy spine. Find your spine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a spine consultation.

Summit has convenient locations across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area, serving Minnesota and western Wisconsin. We have state-of-the-art centers for comprehensive orthopedic care in Eagan, MN, Plymouth, MN, Vadnais Heights, MN, and Woodbury, MN, as well as additional community clinics throughout the metro and southern Minnesota.

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