How Do You Get Rid Of Low Back Pain? Exercise!

Statistics show that close to 80 percent of U.S. adults experience back pain at some point in their lives, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. And while it may seem easier to just stay in bed and wait out the pain, a new study shows that exercise may be the best way to get some relief.

During a recent study, researchers at the University of Sydney in Australia analyzed 23 previous tudies that encompassed 31,000 participants.

Findings revealed that exercise alone could help to reduce low back pain by 35 percent. Furthermore, it could cut the use of sick time by about 78 percent over a year.

"This finding raises the important issue that, for exercise to remain protective against future [lower back pain], it is likely that ongoing exercise is required," the study noted, via TIME.

The study showed benefits from many different types of exercises, ranging from strength training to stretching and a range of motion exercises. The study also found that many things that claim to help out--including shoe insoles, back belts and ergonomic adjustments--did not help in reducing lower back pain.

Researchers caution that an ongoing exercise routine is needed in order to keep up the results. Participants in the study completed two to three group sessions per week with supervised instruction that lasted from eight weeks to 18 and agreed to practice the techniques at home. Then, the participants were followed for a year.

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