Exercises For An Arthritic Lower Back

Exercises for an Arthritic Lower Back

Jun 10, 2011 | By Kelly Morris

There are many types of arthritis but osteoarthritis is the most common. It involves the inflammation of joints and causes pain, which can be debilitating. Doctors often treat arthritis with medications or even surgery, but less-invasive treatments such as exercise can help, too. Check with your physician before beginning exercises for an arthritic lower back.

Warm-Ups

Your muscles need to warm up before beginning any exercise for an arthritic lower back. You can walk or swim as a warm-up. Water walking, or walking in a swimming pool, also can be effective. You also can start with some basic stretches.

Flexion

Bend forward as if to touch your toes, but don't worry if you can't actually reach them. The forward stretch is the important part of this exercise, not how far you can reach. Hold the position for several seconds. Then slowly stand up straight and wait a few seconds before repeating the stretch. Repeat the exercise several times. This increases the space between the vertebrae in your back to relieve pressure on nerves, stretch your back and hip muscles and strengthen the muscles in your stomach and buttocks.

Extension

Lie on your stomach and raise your trunk or try some leg lifts. Hold each position for several seconds. Move slowly and stop if you feel pain. These exercises strengthen back muscles and may also help relieve back pain that radiates to other parts of the body.

Hamstring Stretches

Hamstring stretches can help ease lower back pain. You can stretch your hamstrings in a variety of ways but perhaps the easiest is to sit on the floor with your legs extended in front of you. Bend forward as if to touch your toes. Don't worry if you can't actually reach your toes; just stretch as far as you can.