Physical Exercise Can Prevent Back Problems
By Richard Shank
Back problems are extraordinarily common in the United States. Researchers have evaluated the impact of a variety of interventions designed to help individuals prevent and/or cope with chronic back pain, including physical exercise programs, back supports, reduced lifting programs, show inserts, and ergonomic education.
Of all the interventions studied, only those that utilized physical strength exercises demonstrated significant reductions in either the incidence or severity of chronic back pain. Ergonomic education, show inserts, back supports, and reduced lifting programs failed to show any positive gains.
The research further found that seven of the eight physical exercise programs that combined endurance and strength exercises targeting the back were successful in reducing pain.
Their findings suggest that, despite the good intentions of educational programs and other back support devices, these alone are not enough to prevent the occurrence of back pain or its severity. Instead, resources devoted to preventing and reducing back pain should be a larger source of focus.
Source: Bigos, S., Holland, J., Holland, C., Webster, J., Battie, M., Malmgren, J. 2009. High-quality controlled trials on preventing episodes of back problems: systematic literature review in working-age adults. The Spine Journal 9: 147-168.
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