Lower Back Pain Exercise: Is All Movement Equal?

It is now common practice for healthcare practitioners to advise against bed rest and encourage a return to activity when managing lower back pain. Bed rest has long been considered to have deleterious effects on recovery from injury and indeed can increase pain due to the osmotic effects on the intervertebral discs as increased hydration results in additional stretch of the localised soft tissues. Furthermore, research demonstrates that prescribing bed rest can have a negative impact on the strength and flexibility of supporting musculature within only a few days when they are not being used. Given the importance of the muscles in supporting the spine this is clearly an outcome we want to avoid. However, whilst research confirms the benefits of taking an active recovery, is all movement equal? And just what activities should you return to as part of your recovery?!

In this episode we ask if all movement is equal when taking an active approach to recovery and identify some fundamental considerations you should take when returning to activity. We demonstrate some of the mistakes people make when they’re recovering from injury and what you can do to avoid them. We discuss some key exercises that you should consider as part of your rehabilitation program as well as some key exercises to avoid. Furthermore, we discuss how important it is to optimise your environment to support your recovery and need you to tune in to your back pain to guide your recovery.

 

Some of the things you’ll discover…

 

• Why not all movement is equal & why you shouldn’t always be influenced by what others have done
• That everyone is individual and why you should not simply follow what others have found successful 
• Why you need to identify the movements that you can tolerate as part of your recovery
• What we mean by quality of movement & how this applies to simply activities of daily living
• Why making a diary throughout the day can be so beneficial as part of your recovery
• Don’t underestimate some of the simple things you do everyday that can influence your back health
• Why understanding neutral spine is a foundation in your recovery & for your long term back health
• Some of the fundamental mistakes people make when trying to overcome back injury

 

Highlights

 

Don’t be fooled when you’re advised to keep moving and taking an active approach to recovery, especially when you are given no direction on what movements you should be considering as part of your rehabilitation. Time and time again people are given poor, or at least unclear, advice about the exercises they should undertake as part of their treatment plan. Inevitably this leads to many instances of recurring, and chronic, pain which could be avoided with better advice. Just because someone else has had success with certain exercises it doesn’t mean that you should follow their lead as it may have a deleterious effect for you. Always seek out sound advice to give you the confidence you need to overcome your injury.

 

For more episodes of the Back Pain Solutions podcast visit: www.smartstrong.co.uk Don’t forget to subscribe so you can receive updates on new episodes and direct links to additional content.

 

If you’re suffering from back pain, want to improve your posture, or want to build resilience to future injury then you’re in the right place. Join us and take an active approach to better back health.

 

Resources…

 

eBook: https://smartstrong.ck.page/dda17bdf60

 

Send Us A Question…

https://smartstrong.co.uk/contact-us/

 

Website... 

www.smartstrong.co.uk