Which sports are well suited for back pain?
May 13, 2023 | 30,00 EUR | answered by Helma Krause
Dear Doctor,
My name is Eiko Czakaj and I have been suffering from back pain for some time now. I work in an office and spend most of my day sitting in front of the computer. As a result, I have been experiencing increased pain in my lower back lately, which sometimes radiates down to my legs. These pains not only affect my work performance but also my quality of life in everyday activities.
I am worried that the pain could become chronic and I am wondering what sports I can engage in despite my back problems. I would like to stay active and do something for my health, but I am afraid that certain sports could worsen my symptoms. Therefore, I would like to know from you which sports are good for back pain to strengthen my muscles and alleviate the pain.
Are there specific exercises or sports that are particularly recommended to relieve my back and improve my posture? On the other hand, which sports should I avoid to prevent any further damage? I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide me with some specific recommendations so that I can train my back effectively and stay pain-free in the long term.
Thank you in advance for your help and support.
Best regards,
Eiko Czakaj
Dear Mr. Czakaj,
Thank you for your message and your trust in my expertise as an orthopedic specialist. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from back pain that is affecting your daily life and work performance. It is important that you stay active and are willing to do something for your health in order to remain free of pain in the long term.
When it comes to back pain, it is especially important to strengthen the muscles in your back to relieve the spine and improve posture. There are some sports and exercises that are particularly suitable for people with back problems. These include swimming, water aerobics, yoga, Pilates, and cycling. These sports not only strengthen the back muscles, but also promote flexibility and relaxation of the spine.
Swimming is particularly recommended as the water supports the body and relieves the joints. Water aerobics also provides a gentle way to strengthen muscles and mobilize the spine. Yoga and Pilates focus on strengthening the core muscles, which stabilizes the spine and improves posture. Cycling is a joint-friendly sport that strengthens the back muscles and improves endurance.
However, it is important to avoid sports that strain the spine and can worsen pain. These include weightlifting, tennis, squash, and ball sports that require quick movements. Running on hard surfaces can also exacerbate back pain.
I recommend working with a physiotherapist to develop targeted exercises for your back and learn the correct technique. A well-trained professional can help you create an individual training routine tailored to your needs and complaints.
Please also consult your primary care physician or an orthopedic specialist to receive an accurate diagnosis of your back problems and discuss further measures. Targeted training combined with physiotherapeutic measures can help alleviate your back pain in the long term and improve your quality of life.
I hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Helma Krause
