A man seated at a desk rubbing his lower back

Exercise for Back and Neck Pain

Strengthening your abs and improving your flexibility are just two of the ways that exercise can help relieve or prevent back and neck pain. Learn what you can do to keep your spine healthy.
Photo of a woman performing the upward dog yoga position.
3 Exercises to Avoid if You Have Sciatica
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman foam rolling her back out
Can You Foam Roll Your Back Pain Away?
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Women with neck pain consulting her doctor.
This is How Your Physical Therapist Uses Cervical Traction for Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Group stretching at gym
These Inner Thigh Exercises Will Fix Adductor Weakness and Reduce Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Young woman in Apanasana pose, white studio backgroun
3 Exercises to Do (in Order) to Properly Progress Low Back Flexion
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
woman practicing yoga
Tips for Improving Your Flexibility When You Have Spinal Arthritis
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Older woman doing pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic Floor Contractions Might Help Your Back Pain—Here's How
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Female fitness instructor demonstrating stretching
The Easiest Exercise to Improve the Way Your Back Bends Forward
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing leg extensions at the gym
10 Quad Strengthening Exercises Sure to Help Your Back
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
woman rubbing sore neck at computer
Manage Your Neck Pain With a Cervical Roll
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman rubbing sore neck
How to Do Cervical Retraction for Neck Alignment
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Mature woman doing cobra pose with eyes closed
Treat Sciatica by Doing the Press Up With Hips Shifted
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Illustration of the sciatic nerve
Exercise for Sciatica Related to Herniated Disc
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Women in supine position stretch one knee towards the chest.
Performing Stretches and Exercises With Acute Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman rubbing neck at gym
3 Exercises to Fix Your Forward Head Posture
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman performs the pelvic tilt exercise
Discover How to Activate Your Deep Muscle Core
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
a therapist assisting man with stretching exercises
Extension Bias and How to Position Your Spine to Manage Low Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Woman sitting at a desk with laptop
Learn the Best Fitness Tips for Your Butt and Back to Ease a Backache
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Woman completing physical therapy
7 Main Approaches to Scoliosis Exercises Explained
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
A woman performs the pelvic tilt exercise in hooklying.
Discover the Supine Hook Lying Position for Releasing Back Muscles
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Bird dog exercise
Strengthen Your Core With the Bird Dog Exercise
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Adults doing exercises in pool
How to Workout Your Whole Body by Doing a Water Exercise
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman lying on her stomach
How the Prone Position in Exercise Is Used to Help Your Back
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Photo of a woman performing the upward dog yoga position.
5 Stretches You Should Do Every Single Morning
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
businessman stretching at desk
Lower Back Desk Stretch for Tight Muscles
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Woman with poor posture sitting at desk in chair
Practice Perfect Posture With the Slouch Overcorrect Exercise
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing the Arms Overhead Stretch
Overhead Arm Stretch With Ab Work for Back and Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Jogger Touching Her Toes
Treat Spinal Stenosis With the Standing Back Flexion Exercise
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Bridge pose with anatomy diagram
Doing Bridge Pose May Help Your Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman lies in the supine position and stretches one knee to her chest.
6 Popular Pain Relieving Moves for an Out of Whack Sacroiliac Joint
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Sporty asian man exercising with battle ropes at the gym on green floor. Strong male determine with her indoor workout for stamina and building muscular body. Athlete battle rope workout concept.
How Exercisers Can Achieve Adherence or Compliance More Easily
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Woman laying on her yoga mat
Back Exercises for Relieving Muscle Tension and Pain
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
two women power walk in the water.
How Pool Exercises for Back Pain Can Be Both Fun and Beneficial
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Stapled incision site on a man's lower back
Recovery After Low Back Surgey
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Neck pain; DIY neck roll
How to Make Your Own Neck Support Pillow for Sleeping
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Senior woman dressed in pink does a shoulder and upper back exercise using a theraband.
Strength Exercises to Help Your Low Back Arthritis Symptoms
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
woman doing cobra pose
Yoga Cobra Pose and Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Women doing yoga on the lake
Learn If Yoga or Pilates Is the Better Workout Choice for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Jogger Touching Her Toes
7 Great Hamstring Stretches Anyone Can Do
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Photo of woman stretching her back on the couch.
Use Exercise With Physical Therapy to Treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman sitting in a chair on the beach
Chair Yoga Sun Salutation You Can Do at Your Desk
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Senior man giving small steps in parallel bars
Recommended Exercises After Lumbar Laminectomy and Discectomy Surgery
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Supported Hip Bridge
How to Do Hip Bridges from Beginners to Experts
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
woman doing yoga at spa
Physical Therapy Exercise to Keep Your Back Healthy
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Photo of an overweight man with back pain.
4 Things You Should STOP Doing if You Have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Man stretching
5 Types of Hip Stretches for Low Back Pain Prevention and Relief
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman knees to chest on mat
Knees to Chest Stretch for Low Back Muscles
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
A man doing his stretches for his spinal stenosis
Learn the First Exercise You Should Be Doing If You Have Spinal Stenosis
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman laying down on bench in gym stretching
Hamstring Stretch to Release Your Back
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Man stretching his spine while sitting at his computer.
Hunched Over? Try a Simple Back Stretch
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Young female athlete exercising in a health club.
Posterior Pelvic Tilt and Why It Matters
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing a side lunge
How to Ease Your Backache With One-Legged Balance Challenges
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
young woman helping older woman with a lower back yoga pose
Working Out With Lower Back Pain—Is It a Good Idea?
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Easy inner thigh stretch.
Thigh Stretches That Focus on Groin Flexibility
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Pregnant woman sitting on an exercise ball and holding her back in pain
How Physical Therapy Can Help Back Pain If You Are Pregnant
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Line drawing of man doing corner stretch
This Pec Minor Stretch Improves Posture and Tightness
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Pelvic tilt
Avoid These 5 Mistakes When Doing the Posterior Pelvic Tilt
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
woman demonstrating Pelvic tilt
Pelvic Tilt Exercise for People With Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO
Young woman in yoga pose
The 5 Best Stretches to Help Lower Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Women exercise in a pool.
Water Therapy for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO