It’s important for everyone to exercise. Exercise helps keep people young, limber, and healthy. However, it’s not easy for everyone to find the time or desire exercise. Not only is it difficult to get to the gym or to engage in some sort of enjoyable physical activity, but it can be hard on the body. Not to mention, it’s specifically hard on people who have back injuries. Thankfully, there are ways for people with bad backs to get exercise. In this blog post, Temecula, CA chiropractor Nathen Horst and the team at Horst Chiropractic discuss some exercises that are easy on the back.

Partial Crunches

Part of having a good back is having a good core. However, it’s difficult to build core muscles when an individual is in pain. A great place for anyone to start is with partial crunches (not sit ups). This type of exercise will strengthen the core and inadvertently strengthen the back muscles as well. The good news is it won’t hurt the back muscles. In the event that the individual has especially sore back muscles, keep in mind not to push if it is painful. Instead, visit a chiropractor for help adjusting the spine and back and for advice about how to go about doing the most effective crunches.

Swimming

One of the best activities for an individual that is suffering from any kind of back, joint, or muscle pain is swimming. Swimming is easy on the body, because it allows you to glide through water rather than come into resistant contact with a hard surface. Participating in swimming will help you burn calories, lose weight, and gain muscle all while protecting the joints and helping you remain pain free. Swimming is a great activity for almost any person.

Stretches

It’s amazing how helpful stretching can be to anyone, but especially to people that suffer from back pain. For people with back pain, there are certain stretches that will be more beneficial. One stretch to consider is the hamstring stretch. This is where you lie on your back, bend one knee, loop a towel under the foot, and stretch out the leg. You should feel resistance and stretching in the back of the legs, but it should not be painful. Again, if an activity like this is painful, it’s important for the individual experiencing the pain to seek chiropractic care. For more ideas about stretches, ask your chiropractor for tips.

Wall Sits

Any activity where the back is supported is a good activity to try when having problems with back pain. For this exercise, place your back against the wall for support and gently sit down and hold the position as if you were sitting in a chair. This activity will strengthen muscles but should not be painful.

For more information about chiropractic care, or to make an appointment with a chiropractor, contact Horst Chiropractic today. Any of our staff members can schedule your appointment, or answer any questions you may have about chiropractic care, general wellness, or strength training and exercise.