Have you suffered from more back pain since the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine began? If so, here’s an important tip to help you minimize your back pain and possibly prevent new flareups.

How Our Lifestyle Changes During Quarantine May Be Affecting Our Bodies

Most of our lives look very different now that we are quarantined due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you used to be involved in sports or physical activities, those have probably stopped. With most group activities cancelled and businesses closed, there’s no more running from one place to another to keep up with a busy schedule. These slower schedules can also lead to a slower, and more sedentary, lifestyle. Sitting on a couch, binging on shows, snacking too often. All of these things can have a detrimental effect on your pain level if you’re prone to back pain.

Staying active helps your muscles stay healthy and strong. The stronger your muscles are, the better equipped they are to support the weight of your body, oftentimes taken the burden off the delicate components of your spine. Reducing the stress and strain on your spine lowers your risk of back pain. In addition, staying active helps keep the soft tissues in and around your spine healthier. The discs between your vertebrae, ligaments, cartilage, and muscles were all meant to be able to flex, give and move. As we become more sedentary they tend to tighten up, resulting in aches and pains when we try to get them moving again.

How To Minimize Back Pain During Quarantine

A big thing you can do to minimize your back pain during these difficult times is to keep moving. Stay active. This doesn’t mean you have to be running 1/2 marathons every day. Listen to your body, and tailor your activities to your capabilities. Here are some ideas for things to keep your body moving during quarantine.

• Walk – Walking is a great activity for your body. If you’re not used to too much activity, start slow. Walk 15 minutes to start out. When you’re comfortable with that, try a little more. Gradually increase your walking time as you can.
• Swim – If you have a pool (and it’s heated, because this New York Spring hasn’t been great so far), spend some time swimming. Swimming is a great low-impact aerobic activity.
• Yoga or Pilates – Yoga and Pilates can help you stretch and strengthen your body. If you’re not familiar with the moves and would like to get started there are plenty of ways to access classes online or on the various streaming services. Check out your local yoga or Pilates instructor, they may be offering classes using remote technology. You’d be doing a favor for yourself and a small business in these trying times.
• Biking – Biking can be good exercise and a good way to get outside. However, if biking aggravates your back pain, then it’d be better to choose a different activity.
• Home Activities – Staying active doesn’t have to mean doing an organized athletic activity. There are lots of ways to stay active while doing things around the house. Now is a good time to get home projects or some extra cleaning done in the house. On the nicer days, getting outside to rake or garden is a good way to keep your body moving.

Quarantine is challenging for us in so many ways. If you suffer from back pain it only makes these times more difficult. Be conscious of how your life has changed during these times and the impact that’s having on your body. Try to keep your body moving and keep that back pain in check.