Do you have lower back pain? You have lots of company - Americans spend approximately $50 billion each year on pain relief for back pain. Lower back pain is one of the most common back ailments - it's a leading cause of missed work. You don't have to let the pain control your life. Back exercises can give you increased flexibility and allow you to live pain-free without medication.



Back exercises improve strength of the core muscles, those muscles that support your back, your abdominal muscles, and your legs. This group of muscles is also responsible for your posture. With flexibility programs, you can strengthen those core muscles and eliminate or reduce your lower back pain.

Many exercises improve the strength of core muscles. A regular program of resistance training (e.g., weights), walking, bike riding, swimming and aerobic exercises will strengthen core muscles. But adding flexibility programs, core stability and therapeutic exercises is one way to add even more value to your exercise routine.

The first stage of lower back exercises is to slowly work on building abdominal and core strength. Exercises such as abdominal crunches, pelvic tilts, and leg lifts all help to strengthen the core muscle group. Gradually, you can add more challenging exercises, such as squats to your regimen.

Back exercises are greatly aided with the addition of flexibility programs. Whether you are incorporating some stretching exercises, yoga, or pilates, these exercises help you stretch your muscles. When you stretch your muscles, you actually lengthen them. This helps improve your posture.

Flexibility programs are also great methods for relieving the pain. Stretching exercises help develop flexibility in the spine. Stretching may be one of the most important methods for easing the pain. Simple stretching exercises release some of the tension in lower back muscles. When you release muscle tension, you eliminate the tightness and possible muscles spasms.

Another great option for lower back exercises is to incorporate a Swiss exercise ball, or an inflatable exercise ball, in your routine. Working out with these fitness balls, or simply using them in flexibility programs, helps you develop greater core strength as you try to stabilize yourself on the ball.

Lower back pain doesn't have to stop you from enjoying your life. When you work to incorporate these exercises into your routine, as well as stretching and flexibility, you enjoy a life with a significant reduction in pain.

Copyright (c) 2009 Nancy Rishworth