In our Spondylolisthesis myth series we have discussed:
Myth #1: The magic pill
Myth #2: All spondy rehab programs are the same
Myth #3: Since I have a spondy I need to strengthen my back
Our fourth and final installment will help to clarify the old myth that the more sit-ups you do, the stronger your core will get and the more it will help your back.
In the past I have wrote a few articles on this topic and I discussed how far from the truth it really is.
You can read one of the previously mentioned articles here: Ab Exercises For
Spondylolisthesis.
The first exercise many people think of is the old sit-up or crunch to help strengthen the core. But many studies today are showing the amount of stress these movements place on your spine and how this stress could actually be worse than the benefits that sit ups provide.
At our clinic we rarely use sit-ups or crunches for those who are suffering from back pain. I cringe when I hear people talking about how strong of a core they have due to the fact they do hundreds of crunches a day.
The old thought is that back pain is caused by having a“weak” core. Although this might be true, it is the individuals actions to solve the problem that lead to additional pain. The immediate response for most is to run home and do what you learned in physical education class 25 years ago.
Unfortunately that is sit-ups!
Myth #1: The magic pill
Myth #2: All spondy rehab programs are the same
Myth #3: Since I have a spondy I need to strengthen my back
Our fourth and final installment will help to clarify the old myth that the more sit-ups you do, the stronger your core will get and the more it will help your back.
In the past I have wrote a few articles on this topic and I discussed how far from the truth it really is.
You can read one of the previously mentioned articles here: Ab Exercises For
Spondylolisthesis.
The first exercise many people think of is the old sit-up or crunch to help strengthen the core. But many studies today are showing the amount of stress these movements place on your spine and how this stress could actually be worse than the benefits that sit ups provide.
At our clinic we rarely use sit-ups or crunches for those who are suffering from back pain. I cringe when I hear people talking about how strong of a core they have due to the fact they do hundreds of crunches a day.
The old thought is that back pain is caused by having a“weak” core. Although this might be true, it is the individuals actions to solve the problem that lead to additional pain. The immediate response for most is to run home and do what you learned in physical education class 25 years ago.
Unfortunately that is sit-ups!
Situps can cause the back to bend forcing extra stress on the spine.
The bending motion and flexion of the spine adds stress and strain to your low back with each repetition. For those that already have had tons of stress on the spine this can spell P-A-I-N!
Instead, at our clinic we use ab exercises that teach your core to support and stabilize the back. We teach the mid section to do its job and we do this by performing exercises that utilize a straight or neutral spine.
Instead, at our clinic we use ab exercises that teach your core to support and stabilize the back. We teach the mid section to do its job and we do this by performing exercises that utilize a straight or neutral spine.
Nuetral spine (straight spine) ab exercises keep the stress on the core, not the low back.
I talk more about the importance of having a straight or neutral spine in an article I wrote for EZine articles. You can read that article HERE.
The bottom line is this:
You may have a weak core, but performing hundreds of repetitions of crunches or sit-ups is not the answer for the problem.
Your core or abs responsibility is to help control and stabilize the spine during movement. If you do have a weak midsection and you attempt to strengthen it by performing exercises that produce excessive flexion of the back (sit ups), you are only placing additional stress on your spine.
Instead focus on improving the stability and strength of your core by performing neutral spine exercises.
This will give your back relief and decrease the stress placed on your spine at the same time. It will also help to strengthen and stabilize your backs support system, the core.
The bottom line is this:
You may have a weak core, but performing hundreds of repetitions of crunches or sit-ups is not the answer for the problem.
Your core or abs responsibility is to help control and stabilize the spine during movement. If you do have a weak midsection and you attempt to strengthen it by performing exercises that produce excessive flexion of the back (sit ups), you are only placing additional stress on your spine.
Instead focus on improving the stability and strength of your core by performing neutral spine exercises.
This will give your back relief and decrease the stress placed on your spine at the same time. It will also help to strengthen and stabilize your backs support system, the core.
