Hurt Back? How Exercises Can HURT Your Back

Back Pain ExcercisesWalk into the office of virtually any doctor, chiropractor, or physical therapist with a back pain complaint and chances are you’ll return home with the same sheet of paper they give to every patient who walks through their door. On it you’ll find various back pain exercises and stretches illustrated.

At first glance one might think following the exercises on the paper would be helpful. After all, exercise and stretching are important for recovering from issues causing back pain, right? Yes and no.

The truth is targeted corrective exercise and stretching is critical for addressing many underlying causes of back pain. But if you get the same set of generic exercises to perform as everyone else, with no direction as to which ones address your specific condition, how do you know which exercises are helpful and which are harmful?

Let’s say for sake of example you have severe lower back pain caused by a muscle imbalance between one side of your body and the other. Unless you first, know you have a muscle imbalance, and second, have identified what that imbalance is, you will be unable to effectively correct it. Following the sheet of generic exercises will have you stretching muscles which are already weak and overstretched. Then you’ll begin strengthening muscles which are already overworked and tight. End result: you will likely make your existing problem worse.

Here’s the take home lesson for today. Before you ever perform any stretching or strengthening exercise given to you for treating back pain, neck pain or sciatica, make absolutely certain it is targeting you specific condition. That means either you or your healthcare provider must first accurately identify the muscle imbalances and postural dysfunctions the exercises are intended to correct by performing a physical assessment.

If your healthcare provider cannot or will not tell you what postural dysfunctions and muscle imbalances are contributing to your back pain, do NOT perform any exercises given by them. Instead, consider conducting a Muscle Balance Therapy self assessment or find a different, more knowledgeable provider.

Filed Under: Back Pain Exercises
Written By:  Updated:
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Jesse Cannone, CFT, CPRS, MFT

Jesse is the co-founder and visionary CEO of The Healthy Back Institute®, the world-leading source of natural back pain solutions. His mission as a former back pain sufferer is to help others live pain free without surgery and pharmaceuticals.

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3 thoughts on “Hurt Back? How Exercises Can HURT Your Back”

  1. Kristin Dzugan says:

    I purchased the LTBP system some time ago, and I admit that I have been sporadic in my efforts to implement the program. One problem I am having is in working to strengthen my hamstrings. Every time I start to do the exercises I get severe hamstring cramps. This even happens when I try to do quad stretches. How can I get past this?

  2. Admin says:

    Hi Kristin

    While they do read, review and monitor this blog I suggest that you contact them direct with your query about the exercises either through the contact information that came with your LTBP system or using the following link:

    Our Customer Support
    http://losethebackpain.com/contact-us/

    They will then be able to discuss your specific query and any other relevant factors, with more privacy than is available here.
    Thank you

  3. kawaly says:

    Nice news, I want say thanks to admin coz’ i’ve found many useful info. Keep it going! :). Bye!:)

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