Getting Back to Basics
43 views · Published 1 March 2015 · 1:57 · Indexed 20 September 2026
Channel: Lee Health · 2015 · Science & Technology
One of the most common medical complaints is back pain. But before you reach for the pain meds, you might benefit from a natural muscle relaxer: exercise. “When we exercise, we feel better. Whether it’s because it relieves some natural endorphins that are your body’s natural painkillers or the fact that you feel positive about the fact that you are doing something,” says Lee Memorial Health System physical therapist Kath Kinross. When people are battling back pain, many make the same mistake. Taking it easy. It may take the pressure off, but it doesn’t help the problem. “Imagine if you’ve been in chronic pain for maybe years. You’ve avoided a lot of activities so a lot of your muscle have gotten weak, your joints have gotten stiff and tight,” says Kinross. Getting the spine back in shape requires people go back to basics. Learning how to move properly and working up to working out. For many people it is the first time they’ve been given an exercise education. “Correcting of posture can make a huge impact. Just the way we sit in a chair, the way we unload the dishwasher, the way we do the yard work. I mean little changes that we make to our lifestyle can take a big impact on back pain,” says Kinross. Lee Memorial Health System is offering a 4-series program called ‘The Better Back Class.’ It will incorporate gentle exercises which focus on flexibility, strength, endurance and positioning. “If someone has had chronic pain for a long time being more active and being able to do more things is a huge achievement,” says Kinross. Classes aren’t aimed at acute pain- but should help chronic sufferers get ‘back’ in shape. View More Health Matters video segments at leememorial.org/healthmatters/ Lee Memorial Health System in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of medical care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For nearly a century, we’ve been providing our community with everything from primary care treatment to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries. Visit leememorial.org
