If people are suffering from back pain they may be prompted to stop all activity thinking that it is good for their back. Too much of rest in the same posture may actually make the condition worse. In most of the cases of severe back pain some types of physical activity in the form of exercise is effective as well as essential for complete convalescence. Exercise helps by enhancing the distribution of necessary nutrients to the back muscles and tissues and the disc space. Also exercises helps to keep the ligaments, joints, and muscles healthy.

A consistent exercise also ensures that the back joints and muscles remain supple and do not become stiff. However this does not mean that people can use any type of exercise to ease their back pain. The type and duration of the exercise that will help depends on the level and cause of the back pain and can only be determined after through evaluation by a physical therapist. Usually physical exercise programs recommended for back pain by therapists include strengthening, stretching, and also low impact type of aerobic exercises.

In the case of back pain stretching the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the back can bring a lot of relief and help in expediting the back ache healing process. Stretching ensures better mobility and flexibility of the back ligaments, tendons, and muscles so that the pain does not aggravate further. In fact the stretching exercises effect on the entire body with special focus on the painful area. In case of severe back pain it many take several months for complete relief. In cases of particularly lower back pain the stress on the painful muscles may hinder the progress of any treatment. For this reason it will be necessary to lessen the stress on the painful muscles in the lower back. This can be done by strengthening some vital muscles in the lower back, abdomen and gluteus using strengthening exercises designed specifically for this purpose.

In most of the cases the strengthening exercises used to ease back muscle or joint pain are the McKenzie extension exercises and the dynamic lumbar stabilization exercises. Again in severe cases of back pain it may take a considerable period of time, that is may be a moths or so to obtain relief. Low impact aerobic exercises like walking, cross training or biking, swimming and running depending on the severity of the pain usually suggested for acute cases of back pain. These low impact aerobic or cardiovascular exercises done for at least 20 minutes a day thrice a week not only enhance muscular endurance but also they help to improve cardiovascular fitness. Back pain is also alleviated by these aerobic activities due to improved blood circulation and reduced stress.

One of the most common causes of severe back pain is slouching. Because so most of the people work at desks hunched over their computers for 40 hours a week, it is no surprise that people are reporting back pain in record numbers today. Often, the cause of the back pain proves allusive, possibly because the cause is so simple, all people are slouching. The simple aerobic exercises can be done almost anywhere and will provide immediate relief of back pain associated with poor posture. If people have ever felt the need to stand and arch their back after sitting for an extended period of time, then they understand the concept.