Gentle exercise is one of the more common treatments that a doctor may prescribe for lower back pain relief. Through a regimen of easy movements and light stretching, the patient can exercise joints or relax muscles that are causing them pain. Though many people are averse to exercise, it is highly recommended that this procedure be tried if prescribed as back surgery is expensive and risky.
Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief
While exercising is a pretty straightforward activity, patients looking for exercises for lower back pain relief should perform only the motions that were recommended by their physician. There 
are many exercises which are great for healthy people but can be very damaging and pain inducing for people with back problems. Sit ups, for instance, are great for building up one’s “core” but are not recommended for people with lower back pain.
Dieting for Lower Back Pain Relief
For patients who are suffering from lower back pain due to weight or obesity, the doctor may prescribe an all around exercise program designed to increase overall activity and health of the patient. If the patient follows the plan, weight will begin to decline and the strain on the lower back may decrease. When this happens there may be some lower back pain relief.
For those suffering from lower back pain due to muscle strain, pinched nerves, or aching joints then a series of targeted exercises and stretches for lower back pain relief may be recommended. These exercises provide lower back pain relief by specifically working the muscles that may have been pulled or strained. By developing and lengthening these muscles through exercise the patient may begin to feel less low back pain.
Exercises for Lower Back Pain Relief
Performing exercises for lower back pain relief due to strain may be as simple as laying on hard but comfortable floor for ten minutes at a time with pillows supporting the knees and neck. Other common exercises for lower back pain relief include:
- Press Ups – The patient lies on the floor and props themselves up on their elbows. They then begin to firmly press down on the floor with their hands and upper arms. They do not allow themselves to actually rise of the floor – they merely apply pressure up until just before they would begin to lift up.
- Backwards Bend – The patient stands up straight with their hands on their hips. Then the patient bends backwards at the hip while keeping their knees straight. They will hold this position for 8-10 seconds and then return to the standing position. These exercises for lower back pain relief can cause some strain but may also lead to a cure.
- Double Knee to Chest – The patient lies on their back with their neck supported by a pillow. They then pull one knee up to their chest, and then the other. They then hold that position for 10-15 seconds before allowing both legs to gently return to their starting position.
- Front Plank – The patient gets down on all fours so that their weigh is resting on their forearms, elbows, knees, and lower legs. Then they lift up with their knees so that all of the weight of the lower body is now on the elbows and tips of their toes. This position is then held for several seconds and then the knees are allowed to gently return to their starting position.
Some of the best exercises for lower back pain relief are stretching. Patients are encouraged to seek the advice of a doctor before beginning any exercise routine. If back pain persists or gets worse, stop exercising and consult with your doctor immediately.
Lower Back Pain Relief Through Medication
When looking for exercises for lower back pain relief, many patients will look for medications that can make the pain go away. While doctors may prescribe over the counter medications such as a non-steroidal anti inflammatory (NSAID) like Ibuprofen, some patients do not believe in 
the effectiveness of OTC drugs. These patients will then insist that the doctor prescribe something stronger or attempt to find something on their own.
Medications that are based on opium are often prescribed to fight back pain, even if it is not necessary. While these opium based drugs are effective at relieving pain, they have side effects that make it difficult to function in day to day life and are notoriously addictive when misused. Narcotic addiction is the primary reason why these pain killers are difficult to get prescribed fand instead you may opt for exercises for lower back pain relief.
In addition to the dangers of addiction, it has been shown that Opioid based drugs are not all that effective in treating chronic lower back pain. For long term exercises for lower back pain relief due to a chronic condition, it has been shown that non-addictive pain killers are just as effective as the stronger Opioid drugs. However doctors may consider continuing with narcotic pain relief therapy if the patient is allergic to other drugs such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen or if the side effects of the non-narcotic are too severe for the patient.
Addicted to Lower Back Pain Relief
While patients may not become addicted to narcotic pain killers when seeking lower back pain relief as part of their prescribed treatment, they may later become addicted through abuse of the drug. Many times once a condition has run its course a patient may find that they have several doses or refills of a powerful pain medication still available to them. Legally, these doses are to be destroyed but most patients keep them on hand for later self medication.
Once a patient begins to rely on the drugs for treating conditions that would easily be relieved by OTC drugs, or when they begin to take the drugs merely to improve their mood, the danger of addiction becomes greater. When used as directed by a doctor, narcotic pain relievers can be effective in nmbing the pain but not doing away with it like what is possible with exercises for lower back pain relief. When used improperly they are a dangerous substance that can lead to a life destroying addiction.
Not only do narcotics pose a risk to the patient who was originally prescribed them, they can also be dangerous for those around them. It is not uncommon for a patient to give a few of their pain pills to friends or family members who may be complaining of an ache or a pain. However, even a small exposure to an addictive substance can be enough to trigger an addiction, not to mention the dangers that are inherent in the drugs themselves due to dizziness, drowsiness, and other side effects.
Pain management is a big part of providing lower back pain relief. However if the doctor does not feel that it is necessary to use something as strong as a narcotic, the patient should trust that advice and not attempt to shop around for better pills. While narcotics can sometimes be more effective than OTC drugs, in many instances they only appear to be helping more because of the “high” that some people may feel when taking them. Addiction and drug abuse are very real problems and narcotic pain killers are a gateway into those problems when used incorrectly or when used correctly can lead lower back pain relief.
