FEELING GREAT: How do you stay fit if you're suffering from back pain?

“Paul, how do you continue to try and stay fit when a long standing back injury keeps recurring? It seems that during the course of physio things are fine, but as soon as it stops my problems return. I know the obvious answer is more physio, but I feel this only masks the problem.” – Neil, 54, Hartlepool.

I’ll start by explaining why back problems may keep happening. I note the mention that physio “masks” the problem. And I’d have to agree to an extent because it’s like this: physio can never be a full-blown cure where you’re not going to suffer again. The real long-term success at overcoming back pain is in what YOU do in between or after your sessions.

As in, the lifestyle changes you make, the exercise classes you attend, the type of exercise that you do or don’t do, right down to the length of time you spend sitting and even how you do it.

Backs aren’t made to sit and is the reason why sitting is the chief cause of most chronic back pain). The long term solution? Regular posture style exercises to increase muscle control using Pilates routines mixed with lots of Yoga style exercises to make the muscles and joints more supple and flexible.

One thing I must point out – exercising (running, swimming, golf etc.,) rarely makes backs stronger and there is a huge difference between exercising and doing exercises such as Pilates and Yoga — which are exercises that get you in good enough shape to be able to “exercise”!

So, the answer to this question is to be found in long-term commitment and discipline to doing the right exercises. And by long term, I'm talking at least 3 months before you even notice any difference so you’ve got keep at them to feel the benefits.

If you want tips for easing back pain by at least 20%, just go to www.paulgoughphysio.com/back-pain to pick up a free special report (worth £58) with 9 top tips to keep active with less back pain.