Back pain can ruin your life. Many people complain about problems with their back, especially after age 50. Back pain can make day-to-day activities like getting dressed and cooking a meal an ordeal. But you can turn that around. Getting regular exercise and learning to manage stress can ease your back pain and improve your overall health.
Can I Stop Back Pain Forever?
It is quite sad to know that back pain cannot be cured, but only controlled with some medications, exercises, and practices. It is a chronic condition that may last for a lifetime in many cases. But there are some things you can do to relieve the intensity of the pain if not stop its occurrence altogether.
We will share 5 reasons on why you should be getting regular exercise and how it helps relieve back pain below.
Reason #1: Everything In Your Body Is Connected More Than You Think
For many people, exercise is just to keep their body fit and fine. Surprisingly, however, exercise can relieve your mental fatigue, anxiety, depression and improve self-esteem which in turn improves your physical health. The reason behind this is that mind and body are closely related. When you work out, your muscles pump and contract against each other and this causes the brain to release endorphins which help you maintain a sense of well-being.
We all know that when our mindset changes, we feel good. And the better we feel, the more positive effect it has on our body. But just how strong is this effect? Is it truly possible for mental health to affect your body so much? The short answer is YES — mental health does affect your body and your back pain .
Reason #2: Movement Is Very Important For Back
Movement is essential for a healthy back. The spine's curved shape allows it to keep its natural curve, which supports the body and allows us to move freely. When we stop moving, the spine starts to lose this natural curve and becomes more S-shaped (or kyphotic). In addition, when we sit for too long, the discs in our backs can become compressed, and this can lead to back pain. In other words, if we don't move enough, our spines lose their natural curves and become kyphotic (S-shaped), which can cause back pain.
When you have back pain, it can be tempting to just stay in bed and wait for the pain to go away. This is understandable, since resting seems like the best way to get relief from your symptoms. However, not moving enough can actually make your back pain worse over time—and it might even lead to other health problems.
Because of this, people who have back pain are often advised to get "more exercise" and "stay active." There are good reasons for this advice: For a start, regular physical exercise has been shown to reduce pain. What's more, it's a good idea to go about your daily life as normally as possible, and not to let the pain limit your activities too much. Isolating yourself or no longer doing things you enjoy will make it even harder to cope with back pain.
Reason #3: Less Weight - Less Pressure On Your Spine
Losing weight is one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of back pain.
When you're carrying around excess fat, it puts more pressure on your spine and the discs between your vertebrae. That pressure can cause pain in the lower back.
Exercising helps burn calories and reduce fat, which will reduce pressure to your spine.
If you have back pain and are overweight, it's a good idea to talk with your doctor about your weight loss goals and how to achieve them safely.
If you're overweight or obese, losing even a small amount of weight can make a big difference in how well your back functions and relieves pain. For example, research shows that losing just 5% to 10% of body weight can reduce back pain.
Reason #4: Build That Muscle
As you age, your body loses muscle tissue and fat. This can lead to pain and stiffness in your joints and bones. The good news is that it is possible to build more lean muscle tissue without bulking up like a bodybuilder.
The goal of exercise should be to increase muscle tissue more than fat tissue. This means that you need to lift weights and perform bodyweight exercises (push ups, squats, lunges etc) on a regular basis. If you don’t have access to an exercise facility or gym then use some household items like water bottles and cans of food to substitute dumbbells or barbells.
You will also want to include some type of stretching into your routine two or three times per week. This will help improve flexibility which allows for smoother movement throughout your day as well as making it feel easier when performing activities like walking up stairs or picking up groceries at the store.
Reason #5: Exercise Improves Blood Circulation
Aerobic exercise can improve blood flow to the spinal area and reduce pressure on the discs that cushion your spine. It can also strengthen the muscles around your spine, which helps with proper posture and alignment. This reduces stress on joints and other structures in the body that support weight-bearing activities like walking or running.
When you exercise, blood flows more freely through your body. As a result, your heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump that blood around. And if you have lower back pain, the less pressure on your heart and lungs, the better.
Conclusion
You don't need fancy gym equipment or a ton of money to get fit. Integrating a routine of simple exercises into your daily life can help you lead a healthier, happier life.
We know you've heard it before: exercise is the key to a healthy back. But if you're like most people, you don't have time to go to the gym or even get in a good workout at home.
The good news is that there are tons of ways to keep your back healthy, even if you don't have time for a full-on exercise routine. For example, setting up your work space in an ergonomic way can make all the difference in how well your body deals with stress and strain on a daily basis. That's why we recommend EverRest products for your home or office—they're designed with ergonomic principles in mind and will help you stay active without having to leave your desk all day long!