An Active Lower Back is a Happy Lower Back

In times past, doctors commonly prescribed bed rest to patients that suffered from lower back pain due to strain or injury. They reasoned that if the muscles were overworked or had experienced trauma, it was better to give them time to rest and recover rather than continue to exert them. Today, however, doctors are using a different approach. Why are they now recommending exercise over bedrest?

The changing treatment from bedrest to remaining active is due to a new understanding of how our muscles work. Our back is made up of two types of muscles. We have superficial muscles that help us to bend and twist. We strengthen those muscles with physical exercise such as lifting weights.

The other set of muscles is our deep muscles. These are the inner muscles that support the spine and form our posture. Daily physical activities strengthen the deep muscles.

When a patient is prescribed bed rest, the muscles in his or her back weaken due to inactivity. Once the muscles have begun to atrophy, resuming physical activity becomes much more difficult. The body then needs superficial muscles to help stabilize the back. However, since these muscles aren’t usually called on for this function, they tire out quickly, and even the simplest of movements become difficult. Soon the rest of the spine and other body parts begin feeling the strain, and they are now at risk for other musculoskeletal injuries.

What is more, a recent study showed that those who lead an active lifestyle were less likely to have back pain than those who are classified as leading an inactive lifestyle. Other side effects from an inactive lifestyle included reduced function of the spine, loss of disk height, and even fat build-up on the back muscles.

What was the conclusion of the study? It is essential to participate in a regular, controlled exercise to reduce the effects of back pain. Keeping up a physical routine throughout life is imperative to have strong, healthy back muscles.

Several exercises are designed to strengthen the back muscles. When it comes to pain flair-ups and injuries, it is best to ask your doctor or chiropractor which specific exercises will strengthen those deep muscles while not worsening the injury. Making exercise a daily routine, will promote healing and help prevent pain or other injuries in the future.