Did you know that back pain is the second most common reason that people go to the doctor? With this in mind, prioritizing your spinal health now, before back pain develops, is a wise choice to prevent future discomfort. To effectively safeguard your spine, take a closer look at your exercise routine.
While all forms of exercise provide unique benefits, some are safer for the spine than others. Below, we’ll discuss the best type of exercise for your spine, along with exercises that could raise your risk of back pain.
The Best Types of Exercise for Your Spine
Generally, low-impact exercises are the safest for your spine. High-impact exercise can place undue stress on the spinal structures, increasing the risk of spinal degeneration and injuries.
Low-impact exercises to protect your spine include:
Swimming
Swimming is extremely low-impact, but provides gentle resistance for strength-building. As an aerobic exercise, it also effectively boosts your heart rate and builds cardiovascular stamina. In offering the benefits of both strength and stamina, many consider swimming to be the near-perfect exercise!
Plus, swimming puts virtually no pressure on the joints or spinal structures, making it a great choice for anyone looking to avoid or alleviate back pain.
Yoga
Yoga is a low-impact exercise that strengthens the back and core muscles, which are crucial for spinal support. It can also improve your flexibility and range of motion, which may prevent pain from muscle tension.
Walking
Walking is low impact and requires no equipment or guidance, making it accessible for all. Individuals who walk regularly gain muscle strength and stamina, which can improve support for the spine. Just make sure to practice good posture and spinal alignment while you walk.
Cycling
Cycling keeps the spine in a relaxed position, which alleviates stress on the spinal structures. It’s a good choice of aerobic exercise for those looking to get their heart rates up without straining the spine.
Core Muscle Exercises
The core abdominal muscles stabilize the spine and protect it from injury. Strengthening these muscles with targeted exercises can help them absorb the impact of day-to-day motions, alleviating stress on the spine. In the long run, strong core muscles can reduce spinal degeneration and prevent back pain.
At Wasserman Chiropractic in Coral Springs, we can recommend personalized core muscle exercises to help you build strength and protect the spine.
Everyone is different, so individualized exercise recommendations are often the best way to protect the spine and prevent back pain. Schedule an appointment with the experienced team at Wasserman Chiropractic today to get started.
