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Re:Ask HN: How long does it take for chronic programmer back... by bloodorange on Monday October 19, 2020 @07:44PM (#24832361)
I assume you ask this question because you suffer from this condition. I had debilitating back pain. I (rather luckily) found an excellent physiotherapist. I followed his advice strictly and got out of that situation. He told me that the problem will never "go away" entirely in the sense that I have to work to keep it from recurring. If I don't stay active, then the pain will eventually return. What I found really helps to keep the problem (and many other musculoskeletal issues) away is doing squats and deadlifts. I learnt to do these from an excellent trainer who I found close to where I live. I am not talking about lifting immense weights like a powerlifter but just doing these with weights that were moderate gave me enough strength to not hurt myself with activities that demanded some strength. I also found that I am able to handle my motorcycle with much more ease as the whole body knows how to generate strength and coordinate itself better than before.

In short: When the problem was extreme - sought the help of an excellent physiotherapist. And once recovered - exercise to keep the problem at bay.

EDIT: Why I don't recommend doing exercises or stretches without consulting a good professional is that a good professional can tell you when you are "ready" for certain stretches, movements or exercises which would otherwise make the situation worse. Also of course s/he can evaluate your condition and tell you which ones are safe at which point of time. I didn't have many exercises for recovery. I had to do a handful but I didn't start with all of them and I had certain restrictions on movements in the beginning until I got a bit better and could do those safely.

EDIT2: Lifting weights also naturally improved my posture. I didn't even have to make conscious effort to maintain good posture when seated at the computer for instance. So, that is another way in which it prevents injury.

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