Immediate Low Back Pain Reduction: Brand New Study

Most of us have been there: Our low back has been achy for weeks (perhaps months).  We want to work out, but we also don’t want to exacerbate our pain.  Our instincts tell us we would be wise to either forgo the workout or at least avoid any and all exercises that involve movement around our trunk.  But is this the right approach?

Authors of a brand-new study published in the Journal of Physical Education and Sport sought to determine an answer to this important question.  Specifically, the researchers designed a study to determine how patients with chronic, non-specific low back pain (defined as ongoing pain that doesn’t have a specific diagnosis, such as a herniated disc) responded to an acute bout of strength training.  Instead of avoiding exercise, they had patients perform three strength training exercises: One exercise for the legs (a multi-joint leg movement; in this case, a squatting movement), one lower back exercise (a back extension performed on a Roman Chair), and an abdominal exercise.  The researchers sought to understand what happens to the patients’ pain and functional ability following these three exercises.

The study involved 31 participants who were divided into two groups: an exercise group and a control group that didn’t perform any exercise.  Study participants (all of whom had been experiencing low back pain for three months) performed one session involving these three exercises.

The result?

The group that performed the three exercises experienced a statistically significant reduction in pain (the control group had no change in their pain).  The researchers concluded, “Corroborating our hypothesis, the present study found a reduction in pain and functional disability in subjects with non-specific chronic low back pain after a single session of resistance training exercises… This pioneering study paves the way to a novel approach in treating this injury.”

Take home message: If we have lingering low back pain (without a specific diagnosis), rather than rest, we are wise to attempt a lower body exercise that works our glutes, a low back exercise, and an ab exercise.