More and more studies are being published on the benefits of exercise for people with low back pain (LBP). And the interesting thing is that almost every kind of exercise tested seems to help. Pain is reduced and function improved with a wide range of exercise and activity. There doesn't appear to be one single best exercise approach for this problem.

Recently, a group of scientists from Finland tested healthy adults to see how much arm movements affect the back. They found that shoulder extension (pulling both arms straight down and back) helps improve core stability needed for a healthy back.

Likewise, horizontal shoulder extension using one arm strengthens the muscles on the opposite side of the spine. This motion is very similar to the one used to pull the string back on a compound bow.

As with all exercise programs, check with your doctor before starting something new. You may want to use a mirror during some early practice pulls before using any arrows. Watch for correct posture and alignment. Slowly build up the number of times you perform each exercise. Do the exercises on both sides.

Building up muscular strength and endurance may take six to eight weeks, so stick with it. If you find the exercises increase your back pain, then you may need some help from a physical therapist to devise the right exercise program for you. You may not be able to begin with shoulder extension exercises right away. Depending on your situation, there may be other programs that are more appropriate for you.