Preventing back pain is the only ‘Cure’
The old adage, prevention is better than cure, reveals a scientific truth. There have been many investigations into the relationship between back pain and exercise but a recent literature review from the Finnish Institute of Occupational Therapy makes the link undeniable. Drawing on research that covered over 158,000 people, the ‘results revealed that being highly active reduces the risk of chronic lower back pain by 16 per cent compared to those who do not regularly exercise.” Highly active people are not the only ones to benefit from exercise. People who engage in exercise only moderately reduced their risk of back pain by 14 per cent.
Preventing back pain should be a considerable incentive for everyone to keep up a weekly exercise program. Talk to friends or family who have been affected by back pain before, and they can honestly tell you how challenging it can be. Sufferers have limited movement over the whole body which impacts how they experience daily life. When back pain is playing up it can mean missing out on work, potentially affecting your relationship your employer or colleagues who may not understand.
Parents of young children can find it difficult to pick them up because of the pain they are in, however, lifting and carrying children is a constant expectation of the parenting role. Pain also interferes with the ability to have a good night sleep. The point is, back pain is a serious medical issue that is a major source of upheaval on someone’s life, especially if it becomes a chronic condition. It makes sense to take action to prevent it from occurring. Even if you think of exercise like saving money, putting some away each day prepares you for a brighter, painless future.
The amount of exercise that the typical person needs to do daily in order to prevent back pain is achievable, and not just for athletes. By blocking out 30 minutes to an hour in your calendar at least three days a week you are already on the way to living a life free from debilitating back pain. If regular exercise is not part of your life already, start by walking around the neighbourhood or swimming laps – these are rejuvenating, whole-body workouts. Or in those busy periods when going to the gym seems like an impossible achievement, you can remain active by tweaking your daily routine.
Where there is an escalator, walk the steps rather than letting it lift you to the top. At shopping centres, drive to the rear of the carpark where spaces are not only more plentiful but you incidentally increase the number of steps you take in the day. When you run out of ingredients for dinner and need something from the shops, walk there instead of reaching for the car keys. Once exercise is part of your life you can increase workouts to an hour and increase the intensity level with jogging or sports.
Increasing physical activity is almost as important as breathing. It allows muscles to build up their strength and agility and protect you from the twinges or tears that are the start of back pain. Remember to get out and be active three times a week at least, and more if you can fit it in. As long as exercise is intentional, each step counts towards improving your health and preventing back pain.
