Dr. Stefano Sinicropi, M.D.

When we suffer an injury or pain develops, one of our first instincts is to tone down the activity and attempt to protect the area from additional stress. This is a wonderful instinct that can limit trauma on a damaged area of the body, but far too often people allow rest and inactivity to become the foundation of their treatment plan. Rest is great initially, but rest alone isn’t going to help you regain as much strength and function in the area as possible.

If we want to make the strongest recovery possible, we have to look at the other side of the spectrum towards exercise and movement. Below, we explain why movement is the key to making a functional recovery if you’re dealing with a back injury or chronic back pain.

Back Pain? Get Moving

We can’t speak for every single case, so it’s important to connect with a physician in your area if you want individualized answers about your back pain. With that said, the majority of back pain cases (roughly 80%) stem from a mechanical issue in the spine. Perhaps a disc is worn, movement compresses a nerve or a ligament is strained. Mechanical back pain occurs when an injury inhibits normal movement of one of the joints in the spine, and oftentimes the best way to combat this mobility loss is with movement-based activities. It’s movement that’s going to:

• Restore strength to injured tissues.
• Regain flexibility and range of motion.
• Help the body regain comfort with specific movements.
• Restore stability to areas that support the spinal complex.
• Reduce stiffness that’s impacting comfortable movement.
• Limit muscle weakness and static stress that can result from prolonged inactivity.

Movement-based treatments like exercise and physical therapy will do wonders for your spine because they are proactive in nature. They address the underlying problem instead of attempting to mask or compensate for symptoms.

For example, if your check engine light comes on, you may try to limit driving in the vehicle until you can get it to a mechanic for a diagnostic test. This reduction in activity can limit strain on a vehicle at a time when one or more components are underperforming, but the long-term solution isn’t just to stop driving the car altogether. No matter how long you leave the car parked, the underlying problem isn’t going to fix itself. You can rest in bed after suffering a back injury, but without proactive treatments that strengthen and stabilize the spine and its components, the problem will likely return as soon as you start stressing your body again.

Don’t just park your proverbial car in the garage if back pain sets in. Head to a doctor’s office or simply commit to pursuing a proactive treatment plan rooted in movement-based activities. You’ll find that low-impact exercise and physical therapy techniques will prove much more effective than passive options like rest or pain medications. All treatment options should be considered as part of a comprehensive treatment plan, but if a mechanical issue is to blame for your spinal discomfort, know that movement will be your best path forward.

Contact Dr. Sinicropi – Minnesota Spine Surgeon

So keep moving, and know that Dr. Sinicropi and his team are here in the event you need professional assistance along the way. For more information on overcoming common sources of back pain, connect with Dr. Sinicropi and the team at Midwest Spine & Brain Institute today at (651) 430-3800.

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