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After recuperating from back pain you may want to get yourself back into shape. The rest may have done you good however, the lack of exercise will have left your body weaker. It is also important that you keep yourself active to ensure your body remains in the best of health.
If you have recovered from back pain you have to consider choosing sports that will not put you at risk of hurting your back again. Obviously the more intense the sports the more stress that you are going to put on your back. You will also have to take into consideration that because your body and overall fitness will be weaker intense exercises will probably be too much for your body to take at this stage.
The great thing about exercise is that you have so much variety to choose from. This means that you will not have a problem picking a sport to get you fit and healthy. With back pain you are better off choosing sports that are low impact as these will reduce the risk of the back problem reoccurring. Below are 2 low impact sports that you may want to consider:
Swimming
This is a great exercise that will give you an all over body workout. It is also a very good exercise for building your cardiovascular health. As your body is supported by the water this sport is perfect for people who have back problems and spinal injuries. When you are in the water it supports your back and makes you move your body slowly and gently.
If you have a back problem then certain swimming strokes can actually aggravate your spine. These strokes include the butter fly and breast stroke and are best avoided. The most preferable swim stroke is the back stroke. As you are lying on your back in the water your body is more aligned and level. With frontal strokes like the freestyle your spine is compressed and pushed down into the water.
Cycling
Another great low impact sport for people with back problems is cycling. This can be done in-doors on a stationery exercise bike and when the weather is nice and warm you can cycle outside in the fresh air.
As an exercise, cycling is very good for building power and strength into your legs. It is also an excellent way to improve your cardiovascular fitness. When you are riding be careful of your sitting position. The racing position which has the seat high and the handlebars at a lower level can put pressure on your spine. Adjust the seat or handle-bars so that your knees bend a little when you fully extend your leg in the pedal.
As always do a warm up session before you exercise and a cool down afterwards.
Always speak to your doctor first for advice before taking part in any sports or exercise.
