Lower back pain exercises can be helpful in an overall program to relieve chronic lower back pain.

You should talk to your doctor to get an OK before starting any exercise program.

Even with your doctor's approval, be sure you warm up first, and start your program slowly and gently. You're looking for slow, modest increases--overdoing it can lead to more pain. Three times a week is a good goal--more could be counter-productive.

Warming Up
A good way to warm up is with pelvic tilts. To do them, lie on the ground with your feet flat on the floor and your knees up. Tighten your abdomen and buttocks, and flatten the small of your back against the floor. Hold for a count of five and return to a neutral position. Repeat ten - fifteen times.

Walking for five minutes or so is another great way to warm up your back muscles.

Links to Lower Back Exercise Routines
I find written descriptions of exercises nearly impossible to follow, so I'll just give you a couple of links to routines that are good and have pictures to go along with them.

This is a long lower back strengthening exercise routine.

And this page just shows three lower back strengthening exercises, but they're good ones.

Don't!
If you have acute or severe lower back pain, avoid these exercises, which can aggravate it:

• sit-ups with straight legs
  
• if you're having an acute episode of lower back pain, avoid any sit-ups or curl-ups, even with legs bent
  
• leg lifts (lying on back and lifting both legs)
  
• standing toe touches
  

Remember: easy does it!

I wish you ease and comfort in your lower back--and I feel sure that you can feel better.

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