Core Strengthening Exercises to Avoid With Back Pain

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Strengthening your core is very important and essential for easing lower back pain. However, core exercises performed incorrectly may cause more harm than good though.

Although exercise is good for back pain, such as herniated disc, spinal stenosis, ect., not all exercises will benefit your individual needs. As your muscles become stronger any mild discomfort felt at the beginning of your workout should vanish in less than 15 minutes.  If your pain persists beyond the typical 15 minutes, you should contact a doctor before moving forward with that exercise.

Many people who experience back pain can find the roots of the pain on weak abdominal muscles.  This is when strengthening your core is very important if it is done safely.  We have put together a small list of core strengthening exercises to avoid when experiencing back pain.

Core Strengthening Exercises to Avoid:

• Toe Touches
  There are a few exercises which may aggravate pain, such as toe touches. Toe touches put greater stress on the disks and ligaments in your spine. They can also overstretch lower back muscles and hamstrings.
• Sit-ups
  Most people think that performing sit-ups strengthen your core or abdominal muscles, which is incorrect. Typically people use their hip muscles when doing sit-ups. When performing an exercise such as sit-ups, a lot of pressure is applied to the spinal discs.
• Leg Lifts
  Quite often leg lifts are suggested as an exercise to “strengthen your core.” Although exercising your lower back can be helpful to relieve pain, lifting both legs together while lying on your back is very demanding on your core. If you experience back issues, this exercise might make your pain worse.

Always remember to ask your health care professional (your orthopedic doctor or physical therapist) before performing an exercise with back pain. If given the green light, stay away from exercises that cause or aggravate the pain in your lower back. Which includes, twisting or bending forcefully and sitting for hours.

If you are experiencing back pain without relief, call us at 888-409-8006. Our back pain specialists are here to help!