In Richmond we all likely admire those who have "6 pack abs" or toned-up mid-sections enough to wear mid-riff revealing tops, but do we want to have 6-pack abs? Maybe not. Do we need them? Maybe not. Should we try for them? Possibly, especially if you have back pain. In all practicality, most of us in Richmond need only tone up what there is of us with the "6 pack" image in mind. Such toning and imagery may well help pain relief and prevention of future back pain.
That's where abdominal exercises or core exercises to prevent back pain come into play, and Johnson Chiropractic stands ready to be your partner. Abdominal exercises tone your core -- the muscles surrounding your mid-section -- to support your spine, prevent abnormal curvature due to weakness and help prevent re-injury. Keeping the spine stable with conditioned, strong abdominal muscles is important in maintaining good posture and preventing back injuries. Abdominal exercises to prevent back pain are important to back pain sufferers in Richmond.
Abdominal Strength ... The Key to a Healthy Back and Back Pain Prevention
Johnson Chiropractic isn't looking to form you into the next Mr. or Ms. Universe. Johnson Chiropractic just wants to encourage abdominal strength. The bones of the spine compose the support frame of the back. Attached to this framework is a well-developed system of muscles and ligaments that, when strong, offer the strength and stability of the spine, arms, and legs. If the muscles and ligaments are weak, additional stress is placed on the spine to support the body, increasing the likelihood of back injury. Johnson Chiropractic encourages patients to strengthen their abdominal muscles with simple, quick exercises to support a healthy back.
What to do in Richmond with Abdominal Exercises?
Your chiropractor at Johnson Chiropractic wants you to be actively engaged in your spinal care treatment plan. Together, we can speed your recovery and control spinal pain's influence on your lifestyle.
Now, when asked how to exercise the abdominal muscles, the classic gym class sit-ups challenge - "Do 100 sit-ups in 2 minutes. Go!" - may creep to your mind, but don't let that stop you. Today's abdominal exercises to prevent back pain focus on the whole core and require more attention to form than number of reps.
The core involves many different muscles: latissimus dorsi that are mid-back large muscles, erector spinae that run along the spinal column to straighten the spine, hamstrings, gluteals that support the pelvis and control thigh movement, and abdominals which are used to bend and support the spine from the front. Because the abdominals usually get the credit for being the support for the spine, let's focus on the abdominal muscles this month:
The lower abdominal muscles: pelvic lift- The abdominal muscles: pelvic tilt
- The outside or oblique abdominal muscles: abdominal strengthening (floor / ball)
Abdominal exercises increase intra-abdominal pressure and unload the spine. (1) Segmental stabilization and strengthening of abdominal and truck muscles lessen pain and reduce disability in chronic low back pain patients. (2) Unloading the spine when it is hurting is a welcome event! Strengthen your abdominal muscles in just 10 minutes or so a day. You'll notice a difference.
Contact your chiropractor in Richmond about your abdominal strength and do those abdominal exercises to prevent back pain only as you are instructed to do so. Johnson Chiropractic is confident of your ability to strengthen your core once you set your mind to it!
Click here for references for Abdominal Exercises to Prevent Back Pain.