Exercise is generally beneficial for you, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it. You certainly don’t want to injure yourself while doing something that’s meant to benefit you. Here are a few things to consider:

Protecting your back is a worthy goal of an exercise program. Toward that end, it’s wise to do exercises that strengthen the core, which are the abdominal and back muscles. Crunches, as opposed to the traditional sit-up, are more beneficial. Roll up a small towel and place it in the small of your back for any exercise, like crunches, that require you to be on your back on the floor. Don’t let your back flatten out completely when exercising on the floor.

Some experts believe you’re at higher risk for back injury in the first 30 minutes or so after you get up in the morning. Because you’ve been lying down for as much as eight hours, the discs in your back are filled with more fluid than they will be as the day progresses and you’re mostly in an upright position. So, getting out of bed and immediately getting into an exercise situation is thought not to be a good idea.

When starting any new exercise program, check with your primary healthcare provider to make sure you are physically up to the demands of the activity, whether it’s walking or playing tennis. Talk with your chiropractor about ways to exercise and strengthen your back.

Presented as a service to the community by: Union County Chiropractic Clinic, 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN (865) 992-7000 www.unioncountychiropractic.com