Back pain hurts, and it can come on at any time. Whether you engage in vigorous exercise, sit at a desk for long periods of time, or are even effected by changes in the temperature, back pain can make it hard to go about your daily life. There are several reasons why someone can suffer from back pain, from a former vehicle accident, to pregnancy, to even maintaining bad posture for hours on end. The hard part is how to relieve it once it happens, especially if you do not wish to take pain relief medications.
Exercise is an excellent remedy for back pain as it loosens up and tones the muscles in your back. It makes you back stronger, and when done regularly, exercise may even alleviate the pain for good. Life is busy, and it may not be possible for you to find time to go to the gym for your workout, but there are several pain relieving exercises you can do at home or even on while you are at work.
Crunches and Sit-Ups:
Crunches are a classic exercise that many people learn to do early on in their lives. This is the exercise in which you lay on your back with your knees bent up and your feet planted firmly on the ground. Simply cross our hands behind your head, and pull yourself up into a half-sitting position. As you do crunches, you will feel the wonderful burning sensation in your abs and your back, letting your know that your muscles are hard at work. The key to doing crunches is to do them slowly and build up the amount of them you do over time. It is not a good idea to attempt to do 100 in a row when you are first starting out. Start by completing 20 good quality crunches and build up the amount you can do in a specific period of time. Your back muscles will stretch out, and you will start to see some tone in your abdominal muscles.
Bicycle Moves:
Instead of actually getting on a bike and going for a ride, lay on your back and pretend that you are doing it. Simply lay on your back, place your arms at your sides for balance, and bend and move your legs as if you were pushing the peddles on a bike. This exercise will help your body learn to balance more effectively, and your back will bend and stretch as you keep your legs moving in the air. Try doing this exercise for at least 10 minutes a day, and you will start to feel the results of a more limber back side.
Press Ups:
Press ups constrict and stretch your back muscles in a couple of easy steps. To complete a press up, lay on your stomach, with your legs crossed at the knees and raise yourself up by your arms until you are leaning on your elbows and your chest is off the ground. Maintain this position for 30 seconds to one minute, and then release, bringing your body back down to the ground. Continue to complete these steps for 10 to 15 minutes and you will feel the strain in your back release.
The Bird Dog:
This is not an exercise that you do with your favorite furry friend, but the clever name of a pose you can do at home to relieve your pain! The Bird Dog requires you to get down on and balance your body weight on your hands and knees, much like the pose you would do if you were looking for something on the ground. Once you are in position, raise your left leg so that it is straight out behind you, while at the same time, raising your right arm so that it is straight out in front of you. This exercise is dependent on coordination and balance, so you may be a little wobbly the first few times that you attempt it. Once you are in this position, hold it for five to 10 seconds and then repeat the steps with the opposite arms and legs. This exercise should be done for 10 to 15 minutes.
Lifting Hand Weights:
Lifting hand weights is another good way to relieve tension from your back, and build arm muscles at the same time. There are many different methods to lifting arm weights, from lifting out side to side, or even lifting from the front of your body to the back of your body. It is important to find weights that are comfortable for you to handle, and that are not too heavy. The weights should be light enough that you can maneuver them safely, but heavy enough that they work your muscles.
Exercise is an important part of back pain relief, especially if you do not want to take medication. It conditions your back and makes it more flexible over time. Back pain normally rears its ugly head when your muscles are stiff, or if you have practiced bad posture while sitting for long periods. These simple exercises can be practiced just about anywhere, so they are perfect for your busy life. After a while, you will feel their soothing effects, and perhaps even eliminate your pain forever.
