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.
Exercises to Avoid With Sciatica
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman foam rolling her back out
Foam Roller for Your Back
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Women with neck pain consulting her doctor.
Cervical Traction for Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Group stretching at gym
Inner Thigh Exercises for Reducing Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Young woman in Apanasana pose, white studio backgroun
Improve Low Back Bending the Right Way.
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
woman practicing yoga
Spinal Arthritis Exercises and Motivational Tips
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Older woman doing pelvic floor exercises
Pelvic Floor Contractions for Back Support
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Female fitness instructor demonstrating stretching
Williams Flexion Exercises for Your Back
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing leg extensions at the gym
Quad Strengthening Exercises and 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
Cervical Retraction Neck Exercise
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Mature woman doing cobra pose with eyes closed
The Press Up Exercise With Hips Off Center
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
Forward Head Posture Exercises
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman performs the pelvic tilt exercise
Deep Core Muscle Activation
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
a therapist assisting man with stretching exercises
Extension Bias and Directional Preferences
Medically reviewed by Erin Pereira, DPT, OCS
Woman sitting at a desk with laptop
Back and Butt Fitness Tips for Your Backache
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman completing physical therapy
Scoliosis-Specific Schools of Exercise
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
A woman performs the pelvic tilt exercise in hooklying.
Supine Hook Lying Position for Releasing Back Muscles
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Bird dog exercise
Bird Dog Exercise Instructions
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Adults doing exercises in pool
A Water Exercise Routine for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman lying on her stomach
The Prone Position and Back Exercises
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Photo of a woman performing the upward dog yoga position.
5 Best Morning Stretch Exercises
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
The Slouch-Overcorrect Procedure for Proper Posture
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing the Arms Overhead Stretch
Overhead Arm Stretch for Back and Neck Pain
Medically reviewed by Mohamad Hassan, PT, DPT
Jogger Touching Her Toes
Standing Lumbar Flexion for Low Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Bridge pose with anatomy diagram
Yoga-Supported Bridge Pose for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
A woman lies in the supine position and stretches one knee to her chest.
Reset Your SI Joint With Simple Movements
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 You Can Start Having Better Exercise Adherence
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.
The Benefits of Pool Exercises for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman completing physical therapy
Physical Therapy After Low Back Surgery
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Neck pain; DIY neck roll
DIY Neck Roll for Spinal Support While 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 for Low Back Spinal Arthritis
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
woman doing cobra pose
Yoga Cobra Pose Modifications for Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Women doing yoga on the lake
Is Yoga or Pilates Better for Back Pain?
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Jogger Touching Her Toes
7 Great Hamstring Stretches for Every Level
Medically reviewed by Grant Hughes, MD
Photo of woman stretching her back on the couch.
Exercise Program for 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
Beginning Rehab After Low Back Surgery
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Supported Hip Bridge
Hip Bridge Exercises for All Fitness Levels
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
woman doing yoga at spa
Back Injury Rehabilitation Program
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Photo of an overweight man with back pain.
Things to Stop Doing if You Have Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Man stretching
Hip Stretching Exercise for Back Pain 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
Lumbar Extension Exercise for Spinal Stenosis Relief
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 Tilt of the Pelvis Significance
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Woman doing a side lunge
Balance Exercises for Hip Strengthening and Back Pain
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
young woman helping older woman with a lower back yoga pose
Is Working Out With Lower Back Pain 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
Physical Therapy for Low Back Pain During Pregnancy
Medically reviewed by Laura Campedelli, PT, DPT
Line drawing of man doing corner stretch
Stretching Exercise for Your Chest and Posture
Medically reviewed by Jonathan Cluett, MD
Pelvic tilt
Common Mistakes 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
Lower Back Stretches and Exercises for Pain Prevention
Medically reviewed by Stuart Hershman, MD
Women exercise in a pool.
Water Exercise for Back Pain Therapy
Medically reviewed by Jason DelCollo, DO