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Back Pain Stretches
A popular and often-effective form of conservative treatment, back pain stretches are often used to help relieve symptoms associated with a bulging disc, herniated disc, bone spur, pinched nerve, or other spinal condition. By making the muscles longer and more flexible, these exercises can often help to reduce the pressure on a spinal disc and/or nerve, thereby reducing symptoms caused by that pressure.
There are a number of different techniques and positions, but regardless of the method, there are some general rules to keep in mind for all stretches to help you get the most out of them and to avoid injury. Some tips for back pain stretches include:
- Remember to breathe - When you’re concentrating on maintaining proper form during a stretch, it’s easy to forget about proper breathing techniques, but they are just as important as your physical form. Don’t hold your breath during the stretch. Breathe slowly and deeply throughout the stretch.
- Go slowly - It’s tempting to see how far you can push it, but be careful when stretching. You should feel tension in the muscle being stretched, but it should not be painful.
- Don’t bounce - Back pain stretches should be slow, deliberate movements, not bouncing or sudden reaches.
- Stay balanced - Do the same number of repetitions on both sides of the body, alternating both sides and muscle groups.
For more information on back pain stretches, or the procedures performed by Laser Spine Institute surgeons to treat chronic back pain, contact them today. Laser Spine Institute will review your MRI or CT scan free of charge and determine if you’re a candidate for one of Laser Spine Institute’s effective, minimally invasive procedures.