Your back does a lot of hard work on a daily basis. As the core of the central nervous system, it helps to regulate all of your body movement. Since it's so important to your body's function, you'll want to make sure that you're doing everything possible to take care of it. After all, back pain and back injuries can leave you out of commission for days at a time. To help both reduce your risk of back problems and encourage rehabilitation of existing spinal damage and back injuries, take steps to focus on those muscles and keep them strong.

Tips for a Strong Back

If you aren't currently experiencing back pain, preventative exercises can help to keep the muscles strong. In addition, some of the same workouts you can use to protect your back will also help to rehabilitate it after an injury or strain. Here are some steps you can consider to help improve your spinal health with the support of an orthopedic specialist.

• Core Strengthening – your abdominal muscles serve an important supportive role for your back. Make a point to add some core strengthening exercises to your workout routine. The stronger those muscles are, the less strain your back muscles will feel on a regular basis.

• Pilates – the stretching movements that are part of a Pilates workout can help to improve your spinal alignment. Additionally, many of the movements also focus on the postural muscles. As you strengthen those muscles, you'll find that your natural posture improves along with your core spinal alignment.

• Yoga – incorporating yoga into your normal routine will help you develop more flexibility, muscle strength and toning. The breathing methods that you use during yoga will also help you to relax and manage pain if you're dealing with an existing injury.

• Hamstring Stretches – when your hamstrings are tight and you're struggling with restricted movement, it can cause you to adjust the way you're walking to accommodate it. This may cause you to place added stress on your lower back muscles. Improve your hamstring flexibility by lying flat on your back, grasping your leg and pulling it toward your head. Hold that stretch for a few seconds, then release it.

By adding these things to your routine workout, you'll be able to help protect your back from serious injury. If you're not sure what is best or how to do them properly, talk with an orthopedic specialist for guidance.

For more information, contact Ascar Egtedar, MD or a similar medical professional.