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Back Pain Exercises

Strenuous activities of daily living can stress the back resulting in pain. It is natural at this time to withdraw from activity and rest, but is not helpful in the long run and may actually slow down the healing process.

Exercise helps in rehabilitating the back, relieving pain, preventing or reducing the severity of future episodes, strengthening muscles, improving flexibility and reducing stiffness. A good exercise regimen usually consists of stretching, strengthening, and core strengthening activities. Exercises can include simple walking, yoga, pilates, hydrotherapy, swimming, aquarobics, meditation, deep breathing and tai chi. It should be done in comfortable clothing, and not involve actions that increase pain or involve bouncing movements. Individual stretching exercises targeted at the neck, shoulders, back, hip and thighs can also help relieve back pain.

  • Hao-Hua Wu, M.D.

    101 The City Drive South
    Pavilion 3 Building 29A
    Orange, CA 92868

  • UCI Health — Tustin

    1451 Irvine Blvd.
    Tustin, CA 92780

  • UCI Health — Newport Beach

    2161 San Joaquin Hills Road
    Newport Beach, CA 92660

  • UCI Health — Yorba Linda

    18637 Yorba Linda Blvd.
    Yorba Linda, CA 92886

Useful Links

  • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • University of Southern California
  • University of Pennsylvania Logo
  • University of California San Francisco Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Harvard Medical School
  • Brigham and Women’s Hospital
  • American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  • AOSpine
  • North American Spine Society
  • Global Spine Research Initiative