Exercise plays a vital role in managing back pain.

What is the evidence for exercise?
Research has shown that exercise and physical activity can be very beneficial for people with back pain, especially when the pain has lasted for a number of weeks. There is ongoing research on what type of exercise is best and the optimal frequency and intensity, but it has become clear that there is not much difference between various types of exercise.

What can I expect?
If you haven’t been exercising regularly for some time, it is not uncommon to experience some short term discomfort after doing your exercises. This should disappear within days. If you find that a certain exercise results in more pain, you should try a different exercise or seek advice from a healthcare professional or exercise professional.

Where to get exercise?
Most exercises can be done at any time in any place. If you, however, feel that you need some help with what exercises to do and how to do them, you can visit a physiotherapist or many of the other healthcare providers and therapists. Most people who treat patient with back pain include some kind of exercises in their programme. Your GP may also be able to refer you to an exercise programme run by the NHS.

Many of the exercises can be performed at home, in the park or anywhere else. If you need some help with designing an exercise program or how to do the exercises, you can visit a physiotherapist or other healthcare professional. Many coaches and personal trainers at local sports clubs or fitness centres also have the right experience and qualifications to advise you on exercise programmes. 

Exercise in the context of managing back pain is more than just sport. It includes all kind of activities whereby you are physically active, from walking to stretching and from swimming to taking the stairs. 

Many of the benefits of exercise can be achieved with small changes in your activity pattern. To improve your back health there is no need to train for a marathon or become a fitness fanatic.

Choosing what exercise to do depends on what you enjoy doing. Some of the popular exercises that many people with back pain find beneficial include regular stretching, yoga, pilates, swimming, walking and hydrotherapy.

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