For me, exercise is part of controlling what causes me pain and if I'm in great pain already, I don't exercise as strongly as I do when not in pain. I start with warm up stretches and flexes, which I do daily to loosen the sciatic bundle then do a route of either upper body or lower body low key exercises. I exercise every other day and try to walk daily.

I don't know how you do your exercising, but if you are doing them incorrectly or when you are in a lot of pain already, you might be causing yourself to bring on more pain.

When I used to run I got a 'runners high" that totally took pain away until after all those endorphins came out of my blood-but I've never had that in exercise though I guess it's possible.

You might get a group of stretches you can do from a physical therapist and do those, maybe before you take your drink in the evening..or after. I have one single malt scotch every night to help me relax and because I like the taste and then I do my stretches. I also had a medical marijuana card, so I have a doobie after my drink and by then much of my pain is gone and usually I can sleep. I've been following this routine for several years and it has been the way I get rest..

Pain is tough to deal with but do research and keep active, thats my best advise

plantcrone

Yes plantcrone when the endorphins are active I am pain free but I cannot keep exercising.lol.This is one of the reasons I can no longer work.8 hours of moving or sitting means at least a week of moderate to severe pain.My main exercise now is walking.I had the Wii game system and I did the yoga part of what ever exercise program I was doing but still I am in the least amount of pain is during exercise or lying down.Even though lying down stiffens me up eventually

Hi proverb,

Your experience is a common one.

That's why (regulated and measured) exercise is so imporant to many sufferers of back pain.

Many people can't go a week without performing some form of exercise or having physical manipulative therapy.

All the best.