Herniated discs are a common problem which results not only back pain but pain that refers down into the buttock, thigh and leg. Individuals often are keen to perform exercises to help with their problem but they are concerned that they may make the problem worse. As a result, they often don’t do anything or wait until the pain gets worse before seeking care from a health practitioner.

At consult, the individual may or may not be given exercise to perform for the pain. But do all help practitioners prescribe the correct exercises for their patient’s pain?

The best way to determine the effect of an exercise on pain is to test it out. That means, the individual should remember what their baseline of pain is before they commence the exercise. Then the individual should repeat one movement or exercise (you should do at least 10 reps) and find out “what happens to the pain during the movement.” If it starts off painful but gets less and less with repetition; then that is a good sign. The individual should keep performing that movement or exercise to see if they can abolish their pain with just that one exercise. The other thing the individual will need to do is avoid exercises or movements in the opposite direction.

If however, the pain gets more and more as the individual repeats the exercise; this is telling them that the exercise is not appropriate and they should stop that movement. The individual should then test out an exercise in the opposite direction and find out what happens then.

The 3 rd possibility is that the pain remains the same during the exercise. What is recommended in those situations is that the individual should repeat the exercise again (another lot of 10) and reassess what happens after that.

A final aspect to consider is what happens when the individual has stopped doing the exercise. If the pain is less compared to just before doing the exercise, then it means you have a green light and you should continue to perform the exercise. If the pain is the same compared to before, then the individual should repeat the exercise and re-assess.

If the pain is worse after completing the 10 reps of the exercise compared to before, this is telling you that the exercise is not the right one to do. What is recommended in that situation is to test another exercise preferably in the opposite direction. Typically, if one direction of exercise makes you worse, then the opposite movement/exercise will make you feel better?

The key aspect to remember is that everyone has a unique presentation. It is a matter of testing movements out. McKenzie therapists are experts trained in assessing and prescribing specific exercises for an individual’s specific problem. Unfortunately there is no one best exercise for back pain or herniated discs. Everyone responds differently. Hopefully by now you have a better understanding of pain and how it may response to exercise. Ask the right questions and listen to you body. It will tell you the answers.

Even though we would all like to think that there is a miracle cure for sciatica, there is not, and we have to keep up with various stretches and exercises on a daily basis. The best exercises for sciatica are different from one person to the next and it all depends on your condition. If the pain is in the knee, a different stretch should be conducted than for those with lower back pain. Due to so many people trying to find the perfect exercise, here are a few ideas in helping you choose the right ones.

The first way to choose the best exercises is where you pain is located. If you pain is located in the lower back, stretches such as a hamstring stretch will not benefit. This can cause your back to bend and twist, causing serious injury to occur. On the other hand, setting up an inversion table in your own home would have a tremendous effect on your back. This will relieve any pain that you currently are having by putting pressure off of the spine.

The next tip on finding the correct exercises for your sciatica is through doctors on the Internet. Today, more doctors are turning to the Internet to help people with sciatic nerve problems. Programs such as SciaticaSelfCare and LoseTheBackPain have seen great results from their patients. These doctors are willing to help you through video tutorials, written books, and one on one contact through e-mail or phone.

As you can see, there are a number of ways to find the correct exercises and treatment for sciatica. It is important that you understand what symptoms you are having, the type of pain, and how to properly treat. A simple self-assessment will go along way in helping you achieve your goals. If you stick with a program that works, follow it step-by-step, and stay motivated, you will find yourself reliving the pain once and for all.

This may sound crazy but a study has shown that exercise maybe the best solution for a sore back! For years if you had a bad back the standard treatment was “take two aspirin and go to bed”.? But now the trend is more to staying active.

Of course you should talk to you doctor and get his okay before starting any exercise program. Also it will be vital that you have a trained professional guide you thru with the correct exercises. Without professional help you can do more damage to already inflamed muscles. But it’s now clear that proper exercises can go a long way to relieving and aching back and preventing it from returning.

As I continue on my path to recovery from back surgery I have under gone nearly ten weeks of physical therapy. One thing that I have learned is how weak my muscles have gotten because of the months of inactivity and how badly they need to be strengthen and retrained. The only way to due this is thru controlled movement (exercise0

A study done at the University of Alberta, Canada involved 240 men and women suffer ring from back problems. These individuals were broken up into four groups. Some exercised four times a week and some not at all. The group that exercised four time a week had twenty eight per cent less pain and thirty six per cent less disability. This clearly shows the benefits of an exercise program.

One of the top rated programs is called the Lose The Back Pain System developed by therapists and doctors of the Healthy back Institute. This program has helped thousands by strengthening muscles and eliminating muscles imbalance.

As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort. To help myself and others cope with an aching back I have created a blog.

If you are like me and are suffering because of spinal stenosis, sciatica or a herniated disc the last thing you want to think about is exercising. However the correct exercises properly done is one of the best ways to lose the pain and prevent it from returning.

For many years the accepted way? to treat a bad back was rest. However we now know that rest and/or inactivity is actually the worst thing you can do. Although right after an injury resting for a few days is a good idea, it is important to begin a program of exercises as soon as possible.

Why??Because studies have shown that proper exercises will strengthen the back and correct muscle imbalance. As my physical therapist says you need to retrain weak muscles. Strong muscles support the spine, keep in alignment and help prevent injury. but what exercises are the best? Here’s a short list.

1. Walking: Find a comfortable pair of shoes and walk. I find that finding a level hard surface is better than walking on grass or a rough surface with bumps and dips.

2. Swimming: The great thing about swimming is that the water gives full support to your body, taking the pressure of your spine. Just don’t go off the diving board or try? out for the Olympics. easy does it!

3. Stretching: Be sure to get some expert advice and guidance to ensure the proper stretching exercises and procedures. Find a program or system of exercise designed specifically for a person with back problems?

Spinal Stenosis can be cured and prevented by? proper exercises. One of the top rated programs is called the Lose The Back Pain System developed by therapists and doctors of the Healthy back Institute. This program has helped thousands by strengthening muscles and eliminating muscles imbalance.

As someone who has suffered with a bad back and who has endured months of physical therapy and an operation, I can tell you there are solutions for your discomfort.