If you are suffering from chronic back pain, there are some types of exercise that will do you more harm than good, experts warn. Sports that require your body to change direction a lot, like playing football for example, aren't ideal if you have recurring back pain, says German orthopaedist Matthias Manke.
If you are suffering from chronic back pain, there are some types of exercise that will do you more harm than good, experts warn.
Sports that require your body to change direction a lot, like playing football for example, aren't ideal if you have recurring back pain, says German orthopaedist Matthias Manke.
In these types of sport, "you stop, change direction and then accelerate again," meaning your torso has to make a lot of quick rotational movements, putting additional strain on the spine, he says.
For the same reason, badminton, squash, tennis and volleyball aren't suitable for those suffering from back pain.
If you would still like to practice those sports despite back pain, you should sufficiently train your back muscles - and consult a doctor if in doubt.
Backstroke more back-friendly than breaststroke
Any sport requiring few changes of direction is considered to be back-friendly.
Manke recommends Nordic walking, cycling or swimming, though with swimming, you should stick to backstroke instead of breaststroke, he says.
Breaststroke swimmers risk ending up arching their backs, he explains.
Category: General Sports
