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Active Therapy

In order to fully rehabilitate the spine, our physical therapists may suggest active therapies, or exercise programs, that include a combination of:

  • Stretching: Low back pain is associated with tight hamstring muscles. People who suffer from lower back pain should stretch their hamstring muscles once or twice a day for 30-45 seconds at a time. The hamstring muscle may be stretched in several different ways, from most difficult to least difficult. Learn more about hamstring stretching.
  • Strengthening: To strengthen back muscles, the two most commonly prescribed exercises are McKenzie or lumbar stabilization exercises. Patients should do 15-20 minutes of exercising, every other day. Learn more about strengthening exercises.
  • Low-impact aerobic conditioning: Low impact aerobics (such as walking, bicycling, or swimming) should be done for 30-40 minutes three times a week, on alternate days from the strengthening exercises. Learn more about aerobic exercise.