Got a twinge in your back? It’s probably nothing to worry about. Lower back pain is very common in the UK, and most of the time has no serious underlying cause.
Sometimes heavy lifting or an awkward fall can be the root of the problem, but more often than not it’s just something you simply wake up with in the morning. Thankfully, simple lower back pain doesn’t usually last forever and typically disappears within a matter of weeks. Nevertheless, it’s key to stay active and keep mobile as long periods of inactivity can make the pain worse1.Even if you don’t suffer from back pain, regularly stretching out your lower back is a good idea as it will help improve your strength and flexibility while protecting your back from any future damage.
Many of us spend long days working at a desk and, unfortunately, this encourages poor posture, which may lead to chronic back problems in later life. Walking, swimming and yoga are all excellent ways to safely strengthen the muscles in your back.
If you’re after lower back stretches which you can perform easily at home, there are numerous options, many of which, when done every day, can help reduce pain in just two weeks2.Lower back pain usually eases off within a few weeks. If there is no improvement or the pain gets worse and starts to impact your day to day life, it could be worth seeing your GP.
Last updated: 29 April 2020