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| Lower abdominal exercises/back pain - please help |
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Question:
This is a comment more than a question. It is a terribly common misconception that the abdominal muscles
will somehow protect you from Low Back Pain. Abdominal weakness is
common in people with low back pain but the research tells us that it
is a RESULT of the pain, not the CAUSE!!!!! If anything, by training
your abs so hard, you are increasing the risk of reinjury!!
There has been great research by a group of Australian P.T.s that
demonstrated that different muslces, the Transverisis Abdominis and the
Multifidi are critical for protecting the spine. When these exercises
were used in studies with patients the results were excellent. (the
studies were submitted for publication).
Best bet is consult and experienced person (PT would be best) who is
aware of these exercises and to learn them. They are difficult to
master on their own. The abdominal "drawing in" exercise is a
variation of these.
The exercises you mention do work the rectus abdominus muscles.
They may even favor the lower portion of the muscle group but this is
what you should be focused on.
Answer:
I can only echo this. Doing situps is what really got me into trouble.
About 20 years ago I hurt my back playing tennis, (jumping to hit an
overhead). It was only low back pain (not really a problem as I found out
later) Over the years it bothered me but I pretty much did whatever I
wanted ocasionally going to the chiro and doing excercises.
I thought that
situps helped but about 4 years ago I overdid the situps. Big time
sciatica the next day, shooting pain down my left leg. Its a really long
story I won't bother you with all the details I tried everything and I I
finally tried fusion of L5S1. Sad to say since I waited so long for the
surgery I got no improvement I guess because the nerves got scarred during
the 4 years. Now I'm stuck with it forever I guess.
My next step is some
kind of pacemaker like implant that helps to block the nerve pulses. It has
really ruined my life. And all of this was caused by stupid me doing situps
the old Marine style no pain no gain left elbow to right knee right elbow to
left knee etc as fast as you can and straining. Another bummer is
constipation. Sitting on that stool and straining is a real pain
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