Daily Low Back Exercises

Eight out of 10 adults will suffer at some time from significant lower back pain. Ten minutes of exercises each day can prevent it.

Low back pain is one of the most frequent causes of absenteeism from work. Eight out of 10 adults will suffer from low back pain sometime in their lives, and millions of workers are afflicted each year, with a yearly economic loss in the $30 billion range. All adults should do low back pain prevention exercises every day. Some low back pain is not preventable, but much of it is. Ten minutes each day of back exercises, preferably each morning, or if you wish, once in the morning and once in the evening is all that is required.

Before exercising, stretching should be done. After you have been exercising for a while, preliminary stretching is not necessary. If you have low back pain now, these exercises should not be performed until you have seen a physician or, in the case of mild pain, until the pain has subsided. For most people, a few minutes a day of exercises will prevent much pain and anguish in the future.

Of course, it is equally important to sit up with your back supported when sitting in a chair or driving, and to bend your knees when picking up objects. And, if you are sitting on a soft surface - a bed or chair cushion, for example - when you stand up, use your arms to push off so you are not putting all the pressure on your lower back.