Can a Weak Core Leave your Back Feeling Sore?

     Did you know that if your core is strong and well-conditioned, there is a lesser likelihood for flare ups of low back pain? Your abdominal muscles work in conjunction with your lumbar paraspinal muscles to help stabilize your lumbar spine.

     One of the most common abdominal exercises performed is a sit up. What many people do not realize is that sit ups put a lot of stress on your spine and intervertebral discs. This exercise requires repetitive hinging at the lower mid back, or the thoracolumbar junction. Repetitive flexion at a single spinal segment stresses and weakens the posterior fibers of the intervertebral disc. Over time and with continued repetition, this can lead to further disc injuries, like bulges or herniations.

     When your intervertebral discs are compromised, you are more at risk for injuring yourself performing a simple forward bending activity, such as putting on your socks. Avoid this type of injury by performing abdominal exercises that keep your spine in a neutral position, like planks. Dr. Craig Liebenson’s journal article, Spinal Stabilization Training: The Transversus Abdominus, emphasizes the use of planks to not only strengthen weaker muscles, but to improve muscle endurance. It is important to note that this type of exercise should not be painful, especially at the low back, neck or shoulders. We strive to help you get your low back feeling its ab-solute best at Infield Chiropractic (216) 938-7889. 

Kara Berger

Dr. Kara Berger is a chiropractor at Infield Chiropractic Office.

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Volume 11, Issue 6, Posted 11:49 AM, 06.07.2020