A few months ago, I went to my doctor's office because I had been suffering from back pain for a few days.
I was afraid that he would give me a prescription for pain medication or tell me to go for months of physical therapy.
He told me that I simply needed exercise to strengthen my back and with one quick and easy lesson from a physical therapist, I would be on my own.
He brought the physical therapist into my exam room and she worked with me on some different back strengthening exercises.
The physical therapist said that, for those of us who are sitting for long periods of time, it's particularly important to stretch.
She said that for every hour that I sit that I need to stand up and move around for at least ten minutes.
The primary exercise for my back that the physical therapist recommended was to lie on my back with my legs slightly off the ground.
I was to hold them in this position for ten seconds, and then relax.
Another exercise was simply to put one foot in a chair with my other foot behind me, in a lunge-type position.
This would stretch my lower back.
I have found that the best thing I have been able to do for my back, as well as for the rest of my body, is to walk.
Walking is great exercise for the total body.
It gets your heart rate up and helps you to lose weight.
Many people who have back troubles also have some degree of weight trouble.
Losing weight will help to make your back feel better.
If you are serious about strengthening your back, go to your local gym and ask a trainer to work with you.
Let them know that you specifically want to target back strengthening exercises and they will be able to find a routine that is perfect for your strengths and abilities.