By Introduction
Back pain is an issue in today’s world. For anyone with chronic back pain, physical therapy and exercise can help. Upper body exercises are great for strengthening core muscles, improving posture, and lessening back pain. This article looks at the benefits of upper body exercises and how to make them part of your regular exercises.
Overview of Back Pain
Back pain can come from muscle imbalances, bad posture, or tension that has built up over time. It can range from feeling uncomfortable to really painful. Other symptoms might include fatigue, headaches, and trouble sleeping.
It’s important to know what’s causing the pain. Poor posture, wrong lifting, and too much of the same exercise can make your back muscles strain and get hurt. This can lead to long-term discomfort.
Having a healthy back means doing upper body exercises that help with good alignment. This will make your core muscles stronger and help stop muscle imbalances from happening again. Focus on good form instead of trying to do lots of repetitions.
Benefits of Upper Body Exercises
Upper body exercises can be significant for reducing back pain, injury, and aging restrictions. Doing stretches, backwalking, and Pilates regularly can help reduce tension and restricted movement that causes pain. Gaining strength and flexibility of the underlying muscles is essential for long-term relief from chronic pain.
If done with proper form, those with limited mobility can benefit too! Pilates focuses on increasing flexibility while toning core muscles. This also brings posture awareness, balance, and coordination. Backwalking works the muscles of the dominant hand/arm while pushing or pulling against a ground surface, depending on condition. Simple strength-training moves like push-ups, tricep dips, and chest press can be done using weights, machines, or body weight modifications.
Stretches regularly prescribed by physical therapists, like wrist flexion/extension, have been known to make dramatic impacts on relief for chronic back pain and recent injuries. Combining these stretches with strengthening movements is the best way for long-term symptom relief, as it addresses both restricted mobility and weakened areas that contribute to daily discomfort.
Upper Body Exercises
Upper body exercises can help your back stay healthy. They can make the muscles of your back, neck, and shoulders stronger. Plus, they can improve posture and reduce back pain!
Want to know more? Let’s look at the specific benefits of upper body exercises:
Push-Ups
Push-ups are a great upper body exercise. They target your chest and shoulders. They help build strength and tone your body. They also improve your posture.
Push-ups work a number of muscles. They work the pectorals (chest), deltoids (shoulders), triceps (back of arm), abdominals, obliques, and lats (back). Plus, push-ups help reduce back pain by strengthening your core muscles.
Push-ups seem hard, but they are easy once you learn the right form. To do a push-up:
- Start with your palms on the ground, under your shoulders.
- Then, press your body away from the ground and reach full extension.
- Lower yourself back to the start position. Keep your stomach pulled in tight. Make sure you don’t hyperextend or lock any joints.
You can make push-ups harder. Place your hands closer together or further apart. You can also do elevated or single leg push-ups. You can also do controlled alternating reps on both arms. This works each side independently without sacrificing form. Alternating reps help improve balance and trunk endurance. These skills are useful for activities like sports, gardening, and nursing.
Pull-Ups
Pull-ups are a great exercise for your back and shoulders. They provide increased oxygen flow to your cardiovascular system and help improve grip strength.
To do a pull-up, grip a bar or object at slightly wider than shoulder width. Then, bend your elbows towards your chest and raise yourself up until your chin is parallel to the bar. Return to the starting position with control. You can repeat this until you are fatigued or for a set number of repetitions.
To increase the resistance, add weight via an ankle weight attached to one ankle. Make sure to maintain good form. Lastly, don’t overexert yourself – listen to your body if it’s telling you to stop.
Shoulder Presses
Shoulder presses are great for building muscle strength and definition – plus, they protect your back from strain. They can even help improve range of motion for physical therapy! Variations include barbell or dumbbell overhead or lateral shoulder press, and the Arnold press.
To get a complete workout and avoid injuries, it’s important to stand tall with feet hip-width apart and a slight bend in the knees. Keep your spine long, chest elevated, shoulders down and back.
Start with light weights until you’re comfortable with the motion before increasing weight. To do a barbell or dumbbell overhead press, have arms just outside shoulders then push up until fully extended above head. Slowly bring back to start without locking out elbows. For the Arnold press, begin seated with weights perpendicular, palms facing in. Push up above head keeping palms in (even at top) before returning to start without fully locking elbows. Don’t arch back during these exercises, as it can cause lower back pain.
Chest Flys
Chest flys are awesome! They help improve posture and strength. Plus, they build chest muscles which can reduce back pain. And, they help with shoulder flexibility and core stability.
To do a chest fly, stand with legs wider than hip-distance. Hold a dumbbell in each hand. Raise your arms into a “T” shape above your head. Then, bring them down to armpit level. Don’t push beyond what’s comfortable. Arch your arms up again until they’re in the “T” shape. Do 10-15 reps for 3 sets to get the best results. Be sure to use good form and engage the right muscles!
Core Strengthening Exercises
Tempting as it is to pin your back pain on a lack of activity or too much sitting, there may be a physical cause: weak core muscles. Strengthening the core can help protect your back and ease the pain. Upper body exercises are some of the best for this. Here are a few exercises that will beef up your core:
Plank
Planks are great for strengthening your core muscles and improving posture. They target the rectus abdominus, transverse abdominus, erector spinae, and obliques. Plus, they broaden the thoracic ribs on your back and give your spine more mobility.
Perform a plank on a raised surface to get an even better workout. This engages your lower back, hamstrings, quads, hip flexors, and glutes too. Make sure your feet are flat on the ground and your toes are pointed towards the floor. Hold for 30 seconds with good form. As you get stronger, work up to one minute holds or add more weight.
Planks are a great way to strengthen your core muscles and avoid pain or injury in the long run. If you’re new to this exercise, start with dynamic versions. With consistency and proper form, planks will help build strength in your torso without causing pain.
Side Plank
The side plank is a great exercise! It strengthens your core, improves posture, and reduces back stress. It’s easy, but targets your abs and the muscles on the sides of your body.
To do the side plank:
- Start by lying on one side, with your elbow under your shoulder.
- Raise your hips until they are level with your shoulders. Hold for a few seconds. Then repeat on the other side. Keep your back straight and your body in a direct line from head to feet.
- You don’t need any special equipment or weights. To make it harder, place a weighted object near your feet or rest it on one arm while doing each repetition.
Bridge
Core strengthening exercises are essential to reduce back pain and increase overall body strength and balance. The bridge is one such exercise that works the entire core, including the lower back, upper back, glutes, abs and hip muscles. Doing the bridge will help alleviate back pain, improve balance, strengthen muscles and improve posture.
To do the bridge:
- Lie down with your knees bent and feet planted flat on the floor, shoulder-width apart.
- Engage your core muscles and raise your hips off the floor until they are level with your shoulders and knees. Hold for 15 seconds (progress to 45 seconds as you become stronger).
- Lower your body back down to the ground, just above the floor. Repeat up to 10 times (work up to 3 sets of 10 repetitions).
- Keep your neck in line with your spine during each repetition, to avoid unwanted tension.
You can further challenge yourself by doing one-leg bridges or putting a weight across your hips while bridging (if using weights, make sure they are light). Always keep proper form during each repetition to make the most of this exercise. It may take time, but the rewards will come if it’s done correctly!
Advanced Exercises
If you suffer from chronic back pain, it may seem like inactivity is your only option. But that’s not true! Exercise is actually a key part of managing this type of pain. Doing advanced upper body exercises, like pressups and pull-ups, can help strengthen your core muscles and give your back the extra support it needs.
Read on to find out what some of the best advanced exercises are for a strong, pain-free back.
Handstand Push-Ups
Handstand Push-Ups are an awesome workout for the upper body. They need stability, strength, and skill to do correctly. If you can master the technique, you’ll get plenty of rewards. It tones your body, and builds shoulder and upper back muscles that aid your lower back.
Do 1-2 sets of five reps, and rest for 30 seconds in between.
- Start by tightening your core and finding a nice hand placement on the floor. Lean forward a bit so most of your weight is over your hands. Take one foot off the ground at a time, and point both feet outward against a wall or surface.
- Keep your elbows at the side of your torso and slowly lower yourself until your head touches the ground. Squeeze your shoulders and push up to return to the starting position.
- Make sure to keep a steady base with your hands below your shoulders, and don’t hunch your back.
- As the Handstand Push Ups get easier, add weight and increase intensity gradually.
Single-Leg Deadlifts
Single-Leg Deadlifts are a great, advanced exercise for building strength in the back and legs. Plus, your core muscles get a workout too!
To do this move, lift one leg and place both hands on either side of the standing leg. Bend forward from the hips and reach for the opposite foot. Make sure to keep your back straight and in a neutral position. You should feel a stretch in your lower back.
To finish, use your hamstrings and glutes to lift yourself back up. Pause briefly at the top and then repeat on the other side.
It’s important to have the right form to avoid injury or strain. You can start without weight or heavy resistance. As you get stronger, add 5-10lb dumbbells or plates. Eventually, you can use up to 20lbs if needed.
Single-Leg Deadlifts can help condition your upper body and strengthen multi-joint movements. Plus, you’ll have better posture, less pain, and more strength for everyday tasks like sitting at a desk or lifting heavy objects around the house.
Chin-Ups
Chin-ups are a great way to increase strength and stability in your upper body. To do them, you grip a fixed bar, with your hands facing you, and lift your body up until the bar touches your chin. You can also change the width of your grip or alternate between hands facing away/towards you.
Chin-ups target your biceps and back muscles, especially the lats. Often, they’re combined with dips for a complete upper body workout. When done properly, chin-ups promote:
- Core strength
- A strong neck and shoulders
- Good posture
- Better balance
They also reduce risk of injury, due to improved form and coordination.
To succeed with chin-ups, you must master proper technique. Start with a dead hang, without any momentum, while engaging the latissimus dorsi muscle. This is key for shoulder health, and helps to avoid shoulder impingement. As your technique improves, add extra reps with static holds at different angles, or try one-arm variations for a tougher challenge.
Conclusion
Upper body exercises aim to build up strength in your muscles and soft tissue. This can help reduce pain and improve how you move. It’s important to be careful when exercising and make sure you are doing things that help rather than hurt.
If you’re not sure which exercises are best for you, or if you experience more pain during or after exercise, speak to a doctor. They can recommend a qualified physical therapist or trainer to help you. With the right attitude and guidance, living with less (or no) back pain is achievable!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are upper body exercises important for a pain-free back?
Upper body exercises help to strengthen the muscles that support and stabilize the spine, leading to better posture and reduced stress on the back.
2. Can I do these exercises if I already have back pain?
It is important to consult with a healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program if you have existing back pain. Some exercises may need to be modified to avoid aggravating your condition.
3. How often should I do upper body exercises for my back?
It is generally recommended to incorporate these exercises into your routine 2-3 times per week for best results.
4. What are some examples of upper body exercises for a pain-free back?
Exercises such as rows, pull-ups, push-ups, and shoulder presses can all help to strengthen the upper body and improve back health.
5. Will these exercises improve my posture?
Yes! Strengthening the muscles of the upper body helps to improve overall posture, reducing strain on the back and leading to a more pain-free existence.
6. Can upper body exercises help to prevent future back pain?
Definitely. By keeping the muscles of the upper body strong and flexible, you are better equipped to handle the demands of daily life and avoid future back injuries.
