Sports To Pursue And Avoid If You Have Back Pain
Category: Back Pain | Author: Stefano Sinicropi
Athletic activity is a great way to stay in shape and build muscles in a bunch of different areas in our body, but with these activities also comes the risk of injury. If you’ve had back injuries in the past or you’re recovering from a back injury, athletics can help drive home recovery, but you may also be at risk for re-injuring your back if you aren’t careful about what sports you pursue. In today’s blog, we take a look at which sports to consider and which ones to avoid if you have a history of back pain.
Sports To Consider If You Have Back Pain
If you have a history of back pain or are trying to gently reintroduce your spine to athletic activity, consider these athletic activities, as they can help protect and strengthen your spine as you partake.
- Swimming – Swimming is a non-weight bearing activity that tests numerous back muscles, and can be a great recreational option for anyone recovering from a back injury.
- Cycling – Cycling is another great way to stay active, but you need to make sure your posture is healthy while you’re riding so you don’t overstress your spine.
- Volleyball – Volleyball is easier on the back than other sports, but jumping and blocking can take a toll on your spine when you land, so it also depends on your position and gameplay style.
- Walking – While it may not be a competitive sport, walking is a great way to get regular exercise and avoid extra stress on your spine.
Sports To Avoid If You Have Back Pain
Here are some sports that you may want to avoid or really ease your way back into if you have a history of spine pain.
- Golf – All the torque and twisting that is required during a golf swing can really take a toll on your spine.
- Football – Lineman who push against one another are at a heightened risk for back injuries, but anybody who is routinely tackled or tackling should also be wary of returning to football too soon after a back injury.
- Tennis – While it’s not a contact sport, a similar theory to golf applies, as each swing brings trunk twisting and bending, which can hurt a recovering spine.
- Gymnastics – Avoid rushing your gymnast back from injury too quickly, because running, jumping and landing on their feet, even on a gym mat, can put a lot of stress on their spine.
If you’re struggling to get back in the game after a back injury, or you just want some individualized advice for returning to sport after your spine injury, reach out to Dr. Sinicropi’s office today.
