You’ve probably heard about the trouble that chronic low back pain causes – both in terms of cost and its impact on people’s lives. One way to tackle back pain is through exercise. It’s been shown to work better than doing almost nothing, but the big question is: what kind of exercise works best? The quest to find the most effective exercise approach continues. In this study, researchers investigated the effectiveness of specific self-stretching exercises compared to motor-control exercises for chronic low back pain.
Key Takeaways from the Study:
- What the Study Looked At: In this study, scientists wanted to figure out which exercise approach is better for dealing with that annoying long-term lower back pain. They compared two types of exercises: self-stretching exercises (involved stretching postures from the Global Active Stretching program) and motor control exercises (MCE) Both were guided by a physiotherapist.
- How They Did It: They got a group of people with long-lasting lower back pain and split them into two. One group did stretching exercises and the other group did motor control exercises (such as bridges, bird dog etc. ) Both groups did their exercises for eight weeks with a physiotherapist.
- The Results: Good news! Both groups felt better in terms of pain, disability, and fear of making things worse. What’s interesting is that there wasn’t a big difference between the two groups. This means that both stretching exercises and motor control exercises can help with long-lasting lower back pain.
Implementing in Practice:
- Exercise Can Help: If you’ve got that nagging lower back pain that won’t go away, exercise is a great way to manage it. This study reminds us that there’s no single magic exercise that works for everyone.
- You’re in Charge: The best exercise is the one you’ll actually do and enjoy. Talk to your physiotherapist and see what kind of exercise you might like. If you enjoy it, you’re more likely to stick with it, and that’s a big part of feeling better.
- Your Preferences Matter: When your physiotherapist designs your exercise plan, tell them what you like and what makes you feel good. It’s all about making the exercises work for you and keeping you on track to feeling better.
When it comes to beating that long-lasting lower back pain, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Whether you choose self-stretching exercises or guided exercises, what matters most is finding the one that suits you and helps you on your journey to a pain-free back.
If you are seeking an individual exercise plan for your back pain that you enjoy, call our friendly staff and book in with our physiotherapists.
TPC