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Exercise Equipment for Back Pain

According to the American Chiropractic Association, “31 million Americans will experience low-back pain at any given time,” and roughly 80 percent of the American population will experience back problems at some point in their lives. In coordination with physical therapy and medical care, many sufferers of back pain use specific exercises and equipment to help them cope with chronic, acute and periodic back pain.

  1. Aerobic Exercise Equipment

    • Low-impact aerobic exercises help strengthen the core muscles, which include the abdominals and lower back muscles. They are particularly useful in combating lower back pain and for those just beginning an exercise regimen as they require little to no beginning back strength. Exercise equipment for these exercises include treadmills, elliptical machines, a pool and stationary bikes. Treadmills and elliptical machines are primarily used for walking and help incrementally build up back muscles so they experience less stress. Swimming also gradually builds back muscles through the resistance of the water. Stationary bikes require individuals to hold their back in a certain position while pedaling the bike. For walking and swimming, you may need a back brace or support to keep the back in the proper position, depending on the type of pain.

    Back Strength Exercise Equipment

    • Strengthening the muscles in the back improves posture, which stabilizes the spine and can improve many forms of back pain. These exercises commonly involve lumbar extension strength training and require an inclined exercise bench, a foam roll or an exercise ball. These types of equipment release pressure on the spine and allow individuals to gradually build muscle by strengthening the back and core simultaneously. A foam roll releases pressure from the spine so that movements don’t apply additional strain on the area. The exercise ball strengthens the muscles involved in mobility by hyper-extending the spine and stretching the muscles.

    Flexibility Exercise Equipment

    • Increasing flexibility in the back eliminates back strain and increases the elasticity of muscles. To perform many flexibility exercises, the most commonly used equipment includes a yoga mat for stretching and floor exercises, resistance band or small weights to stabilize the upper body or more thoroughly work muscles and an exercise ball to hyper-extend the muscles and increase their range of motion. Using an inversion bench helps relax the back muscles and promotes spine rotation. Most flexibility exercises for back pain don’t require the use of equipment until some back strength and stamina has been built up to avoid further injury or aggravating the area.

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