Sports that you can still do with back pain

On the formica chair of the doctor, I waited for my turn. My treatment card at the physio was used up, I still had pain in my back and leg and foot, so I had to visit the best man. I have a fear of doctors because every time I go in there with an ailment, I come out with a new one.

And indeed, a week later I was lying in a tube to slice my body into pieces, so that the vertebra could be examined under the magnifying glass. The diagnosis: a hernia between L5 and S1 (I also had to Google where those are located). The advice: medication that makes you a bit loopy and above all, keep doing what you can. So, exercising is allowed, but the sports that are a bit less gentle on my body (and then the neurologist raised his eyebrows), I should skip for now. I think he meant my boxing, but I'm not sure. Now that I have the taste of the gym I want to see what I can do again (once I stop waddling like an elderly person). I'm just glad that you don't get prescribed weeks of bed rest anymore.

First of all, what you better not do: a sport that puts a lot of strain on your back. My kickboxing class from last week was therefore not such a great plan. With a hernia, the cushioning in your back is gone, but even with other back pain, you don't want to irritate or strain things further. What you can try, you naturally want to know as well.

Swimming

Just a gentle breaststroke. The water takes away weight, making it easier to move. Actually, swimming is one of the sports you can always and everywhere keep doing a bit.

Walking

Look, if you want to burn calories, in this case, you might as well not eat them. But walking gives you a nice body, is a natural movement for your body, and even if you don't sweat buckets, it's nice to feel the wind in your face. It also engages the area between your ears, as it helps clear your mind.

Yoga

Yoga makes you flexible: fact, but yoga can also help create more space in your back. Do mention beforehand that you have back issues, so your yogi can take that into account.

Do nothing without a doctor

If the pain in your back has a serious medical reason, do nothing without having a coffee chat with a doctor. Mine says that exercising can’t hurt, as long as I don’t have pain, because I can use every muscle to support my back.

And whatever you do, don’t lie on the couch in a permanent fetal position. Moving is really better. Also read immediately what you need to do to keep exercising.