When you have back pain, it's hard to think about exercise.

You may worry that it'll just make things worse.

Or, if your pain has gone away, maybe you're afraid that exercise will bring it back.

But activity and exercise can help your back get better and stay better.

Walking is one of the best things you can do for your back.

You can try other activities too, like swimming.

The key is to find something that gets you up, gets you moving, and helps you feel better.

You can also do exercises that gently stretch and strengthen your stomach, back, and leg muscles.

The stronger those muscles are, the better they're able to protect your back.

Be sure to talk with your doctor before starting anything new.

And if an exercise makes your back feel worse, stop doing it.

Remember, staying active can help you stay flexible and strong and have less pain.

So don't let the fear of back pain keep you from being active.