Strong back: Mobilising exercises

Tips for a strong back: Take any opportunity you can get to keep your back mobile.

Text: Sanitas

Images: Unsplash

2 min

18.06.2019

Take the stairs instead of the lift or escalator. Walk for at least half an hour a day: going to work, running errands or simply going for a walk at lunchtime or in the evening.

We’ve put together the most useful exercises for preventing back pain:

Lifting

Lifting heavy objects

  • Stand close to the object
  • Knees at 90 degrees
  • Back straight
  • Lift the object close to your body
  • Never bend and twist your back while lifting!

Carrying heavy objects

  • Stand up straight with your legs apart
  • Hold the object close to your body

Putting down heavy objects

  • Feet hip-width apart
  • First bend your knees
  • Always hold the object close to your body

Putting down heavy objects

  • Stand with your legs apart
  • Keep the object as close to your body as possible
  • Keep your back straight
  • Angle of knees 90 degrees at most

Sitting

How to sit properly

  • Feet flat on the ground, hip-width apart
  • Knees at 90 degrees or slightly more
  • Pelvis tilted slightly forward
  • Chest straight
  • Shoulders relaxed
  • Chin tucked in slightly

Back relief through stretching

  • Sit on the edge of the seat
  • Legs slightly apart
  • Knees directly above your feet
  • Hands at the back of your neck
  • Open your chest, stretch your upper back

Back relief using your arms

  • Lean your upper body forwards
  • Rest your arms on your thighs
  • Shoulders directly above your elbows
  • Knees directly above your feet

Back relief using back of chair

  • Lean your upper body on the back of the chair
  • Relax your shoulders
  • Feet flat on the floor
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Lying

Back relief by raising your legs

  • Pillow/cushion under your head
  • Back flat on the floor
  • Legs hip-width apart

Back relief through stretching

  • Pillow/cushion under your middle back
  • Arms above head
  • Legs slightly apart

Back relief lying on your stomach

  • Look forwards
  • Legs slightly apart
  • Shoulders directly above your elbows

Back relief lying on your side

  • Lie on your side
  • Pillows/cushions between your legs and under your head
  • Towel under your waist

Standing

Back relief through standing

  • Lean your back against the wall
  • Relax your shoulders
  • Feet slightly apart, flat on the floor

Back relief using a chair

  • Back straight
  • Shoulders directly above your elbows
  • One foot slightly forward

Back relief when working standing up

  • Rest your foot on something so it’s slightly raised
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Getting up

  • Lie with your legs bent and your arms flat next to your body
  • Keeping the body stable, roll onto your sid
  • Push yourself up with one arm while sliding your lower legs over the edge of the sofa