1) Go to the doctor and get a diagnosis. Once you have this, ask your doctor to help you develop a plan for getting better.

2) Follow the plan. Did your doctor tell you that you would feel better if you took some of the weight load off your back (by losing weight)? Then, do it!

Some general things that can help you feel better (and prevent pain in the first place) :

• Get active. Just like your car doesn’t fix itself in the driveway, your back won’t fix itself when you are in bed!

• Strengthen the muscles that support your back. If you only do crunches, your abs are not properly developed to support your spine. You need to work on your core.

• Consider losing weight if you are overweight. Additional weight on your body causes more stress on all of your muscles and joints as well as your back. You may find that not only does your back pain go away, but also so does your knee pain and your foot pain!

• Drink water. Studies by the Jack M. Blount Foundation found that chronic dehydration is a contributing factor in muscle spasms. It also makes spasms more painful. You know all the other good reasons to drink water, so if you aren’t doing it yet, make it an easy resolution that you can keep!

One of the things that always works is exercise. Exercising gives you more flexibility and more strength. And stronger muscles, especially in your core, support your spine and prevent pain — that simple.

Now, if you are not sure where to start, it is critical like with ALL PAIN, that you visit your doctor. I cannot stress that enough. And I stress it because I have people ask me on a daily basis in the Douglasville gym where I am a personal trainer about this pain and that pain. And well, only your doctor should be diagnosing pain. So really, go there first and then look at the exercise and training options that are good for your back.

And if you are still unsure how to perform the exercises, then a few personal training sessions are a good place to start!!