Don’t do these 5 exercises if you have back issues

Not every person experiences back pain the same way, but there are some things everyone can do to prevent further pain or injury to the back. Here, our spine surgeon in Broward County and back surgeon in Fort Lauderdale advise avoiding these exercises if you have problems with your spine:

1. Heavy lifting. Exercises that involve heavy lifting should be limited if you have intense back pain or back issues. An improper lift at the gym can worsen existing symptoms and perhaps even cause new ones by damaging other elements of the spine. Outside the gym, it is worth avoiding heavy lifting when possible. Our spine surgeon in Broward County reminds you to bend at your knees rather than leaning over if you need to pick something up.
2. Twisting and bending movements. Some leisure activities and exercises involve twisting or bending the spine in relatively unnatural ways. Take, for example, golf, whose swinging motion twists the spine in one direction and quickly turns it back the other way. This rotation can cause further irritation to an already suffering spine. It is preferable to find exercises that allow you to avoid or minimize any quick twisting and bending of your spine, such as swimming or yoga.
3. High-impact exercises. Running and interval training may be considered a healthy part of a fitness routine, but these activities involve repetitive motions that can further injure an already irritated spinal column. If you still wish to run despite a spinal stenosis diagnosis, it is important to maintain proper form and wear shoes that cushion your steps.
4. Long walks. Although walking is a nearly universally recommended form of exercise, it’s better to keep them on the short side if you’ve got a back issue. Longer strolls can place more pressure on the affected portions of the spine, leading to symptom flare-ups. If you plan to walk for at least an hour a day, considering splitting it up into 2 or 3 walks instead of one long one.

Beyond these exercises, a good rule of thumb is that if an exercise causes you pain, it’s wise to scale it back or stop entirely. Pushing yourself further may only lead to more pain, which can prevent you from exercising altogether.

Dr. Matthew Hepler – Your best choice for a spine surgeon in Broward County and Fort Lauderdale

Dr. Hepler is a leading orthopedic spine surgeon in Delray Beach and Fort Lauderdale with fellowship training in both adult and pediatric spine surgery. He has a subspecialty interest in complex spine reconstruction. That includes scoliosis, kyphosis, and spondylolisthesis, but he treats all spine conditions, including disc herniations, radiculopathy, discogenic disc disease, lumbar and cervical stenosis, and traumatic and osteoporotic fractures. He is also an expert in back surgery and spinal stenosis treatment in Palm Beach County.