Exercise Therapy Basics

Exercise is one of the most well-supported treatments for chronic low back pain. But not all exercise is equal — the wrong type can make things worse.

A note before you read: "How can I exercise when my back hurts?" — that's a fair question. But here's what the research shows: across 249 clinical trials involving 24,486 patients, appropriate exercise has been reported to be as effective as common pain medications. This page explains why, and how to get started safely.

What You'll Learn

• Why exercise helps back pain — the scientific evidence
• Why the "wrong exercise" can backfire — the diesel and gasoline story
• Which types of exercise are well-supported — results from 75 clinical trials
• When to expect results — realistic timelines
• Tips for sticking with an exercise program