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In many cases, back pain will subside in a couple of weeks with rest, ice and over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication. The good news is that many of back related injuries that cause pain can be prevented with a concerted effort to strengthen the core.
“There is a lot of good advice about how to prevent back pain,” says Dr. Chang. “For example, we should bend our knees when lifting something heavy, stand and sit up straight, stay active, maintain a healthy weight and eat a nutritious diet. These are all important for our backs and for our general health. But the most critical part of a plan for a healthy back is exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the back, with a particular focus on the core abdominal muscles.”
Tips for Core Strengthening
Some people connect the abdominal muscles with six-pack abs and don’t fully understand the more important role they play in supporting the spine and keeping us upright. Stabilizing the spine is necessary for movement and for preventing back pain. The abdominal muscles are the primary supporter of the spine. If the abdominal muscles are not strong, the muscles of the back have to work harder to provide the necessary support for the body. As a result of this extra work, they can become more vulnerable to injury. “Developing stronger core muscles will improve the strength of your spine and minimize the probability that you will strain your back,” says Dr. Chang.
Common abdominal exercises that will strengthen the core and help prevent back pain include:
- Elbow planks
- Abdominal crunches
- Push-ups
- Yoga
- Pilates
In addition, specific exercises that develop and strengthen the transversus abdominis, the deepest of the abdominal muscles that play an important role in stabilizing the lower back and pelvis, are also beneficial. Dr. Chang suggests:
- Planks
- Abdominal hollowing
- Supine Leg Extensions
- Glute Bridges
- Quadruped Lifts, also called Bird Dogs
- Roll Ups
“We recommend our patients to do exercises to strengthen their back 2 or 3 times a week,” says Dr. Chang. “We also encourage patients to work with a certified trainer or physical therapist, at least at first, to make sure that the exercises are being done properly and with good form, especially if an individual has already suffered a back injury. While back pain is one of our most common afflictions, it doesn’t have to be. Prevention is the best remedy. In our experience, if you are good to your back, it will take you long way without pain,” adds Dr. Chang.
Kaliq Chang, MD, is a board-certified physician in pain management and anesthesiology with Atlantic Spine Center.
Atlantic Spine Center is a nationally recognized leader for endoscopic and orthopaedic spine surgery with offices in NJ and NY www.atlanticspinecenter.com. www.atlanticspinecenter.nyc
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