Sports and exercise, in general, can improve the well-being of a person. It strengthens and tones each and every muscle of the body and can heal any back issues. Which is why any spine and back doctors recommend their patients to engage in sports, exercise or any physical activities which they approve and suggests.
Your Spine and Back needs to Move
Basketball superstars, Football players, Baseball hotties, Volleyball MVPs and other sports celebrities and personalities have experienced being injured before and during a game. Some have even undergone serious and major operations just to fix an injury. This is the same case with people who have injured their back and spine due to slips or major accidents.
But whatever reason that may have caused your back pain issues, the bottom line is that you will no longer be able to do most of your physical activities like you’ve used to before. You now have limited movements and physical engagements. Notice that word “limited”? It means that you are still capable of doing some physical activities, even sports, but it should not put too much pressure on your back or any injured part of your body. Most especially if it’s the muscles or bones that were damaged, your doctor or therapist will definitely not allow you.
Your body needs to move and so as your back and spine. But you have to be aware and guided as to what kind of sports or exercise you are entitled to. Protect your back or any injury you previously had, that’s what you have to do first.
Don’t Let it Stop You
The main goal is to get your back and spine strong and stable again. And that can only happen after your doctor or therapist determines the appropriate action that your body can handle and at the same time will keep you and your back safe.
Don’t let that pain stop you.
During the phase of your back injury recovery and if you have previous back issues, have your medical practitioner approve the activity or exercise that you are planning to do first. Bear in mind that not all sports or physical exercises are for your spine. Allow your doctors provide you with a full recovery program. This aims to present you with the proper guidance and understanding of the types and level of the exercises or sports that are safe for your back to handle. Those activities should secure and restore your spine as it continues to recover.
Exercises that would condition your back are:
- Movements that should warm the muscles gently
- Movements that will encourage muscle flexibility
- Movements that will not only strengthen the injured are but the inner core of your muscles too
Slowly engage yourself in these exercises to warm you up again. Getting back on track in a completely different direction and approach is like starting from the beginning again. The first is not always easy. But if you are really up for the challenge, nothing should stop you from trying. Treat it like baby steps. Do not push yourself too much. Just take every movement nice and slow eventually your body will absorb everything that is going on and the rest will follow. The slower the better because it’s safer. Allow your body to find its strength until it becomes completely equipped to take on another level of the routine. In that way, it can be prepared to protect your body before being involved in sports again.
Sports that Your Back Can and Cannot Handle
Avoid the following sports and movements:
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Football
- Gymnastics
- Golf
- Bicycling
- Sit-ups
- Leg-lifts
- Toe touches
Why? Because the above-mentioned sports will make you jump, bend, twist, and execute routines that will force your entire body to be flexible. It will just place your spine and back in an unsafe situation.
While the safer sports and movements are:
- Walking
- Swimming
- Yoga
- Tia Chi
- Skiing
- Stretching
- Safe warm-ups
Self-determination is the key to full recovery and whether you are planning to join any competition or just wanted to go back to your active routine again, see to it to have a regular visit to your back pain specialist McLean or therapist so they can also monitor your progress.
