Ulcerative Colitis-Friendly Exercises: Back Muscles

I've got four low-back discs that are cracked from a fall that I took last year. It is hard for me to exercise my back and as a result my back muscles have atrophied somewhat. Since that time and since my back muscles have taken a tumble, I have noticed an increase in ulcerative colitis flares, therefore, I can attest to the fact that back muscles play a role in the health of people with ulcerative colitis; why?

The back muscles are closely related to the abdomen. When a person gains weight in their stomach, they will often notice that their back gets sore and stiff when they stand too long. This is typically because they have gained the weight as a result of not exercising and their back muscles have weakened along with their gain of weight. The back muscles no longer can effectively support their stomach. That is a major reason why people with dramatic weight gain have a larger protruding stomach.

When relating back muscles and their condition to ulcerative colitis, once again the ability to control the abdomen becomes important both in practice of movement and during a flare. In fact, a flare can be brought on by the lack of posture; an ulcerative colitis flare can be brought on by anything.

The first thing one must do when working with back muscles is rule out any injury that may require treatment or medications (such as anti-inflammatory or muscle-relaxing drugs). After a major problem has been ruled out, then the key word for the person with ulcerative colitis is "easy"; take it "easy".

There are so many good exercises that it is hard to name them all.

One good exercise is the simple act of pulling your knees to your chest while lying on your side. This stretches and relaxes the back muscles while toning them. Also, remember, no matter what type of exercise or movement you are doing, you are burning calories.

A person with ulcerative colitis can also lie down in the prone position and extend by raising the arms and stretching the legs. Once again you are strengthening and stretching the back muscles.

Remember fifth-grade gym class? You thought your teacher was boring, didn't you? If you were like me you figured lying on your back and rolling from side; pulling your leg back and, raising your leg wasn't something a kid in good condition did. Well, because we didn't do those things our entire lives we now have weak back muscles and we should get back to these simple exercises.

A 'mild sit-up" or as some of us wags say, a "half sit-up", not only aids the back muscles but the abdominal muscles as well, both sets of muscles being germane to effective ulcerative colitis flare control

I personally like "hand-knee" rocking. Getting on all fours and putting your head down stretches your back muscles in such as way that you can literally control the tautness inch by inch.

How do back muscles help prevent ulcerative colitis flares?

Certainly, by exercising on a limited basis there will be some amount of weight loss. The back muscles, when strengthened, help support the abdomen which helps prevent the aches and cramps that trigger a flare.

Again, though, in checking with my doctor, there is a very basic underlying cause to the prevention of flares in an ulcerative colitis sufferer's life when the back muscles are in good shape.

When a person has a body in good shape, they typically are active. When a person is active, then they relieve stress which in turn aids in the prevention of ulcerative colitis flares. When exercising, a person is more likely to drink water which is very, very important to the person with ulcerative colitis.

It is impossible in a reasonably short article to list all possible back muscle articles so I have alerted you to a good "easy" set of exercises in addition to the ones I have mentioned.

When a person is an ulcerative colitis sufferer, one should remember, that a flare can occur no matter what condition your back muscles are in; no matter how fit your stomach is; no matter how fit any part of your body is. However, treatment of back muscles, or any muscle for that matter, will always burn calories and relieve stress which always gives the ulcerative colitis sufferer a fighting change of avoiding a flare.

Diet, exercise and water are the magical ingredients that can help someone with an ulcerative colitis condition live as normal of a life as possible.

Reference:

orthopedics.about.com