Your lower back strength is tied to much smaller muscles than your “six-pack” muscles.
When evaluating lower back pain a clinician has to consider the source of lower back pain. Although there are multiple objective sources to consider, the intricate intraspinal muscles (the first layer of spinal muscles that hold the vertebrae together) and deepest layer abdominal muscles have been studied.
There is strong evidence that strengthening of deep spinal musculature plays a role in decreasing and eliminating spinal pain.
Muscles such as multifitus (provides spinal side-bending, rotation, and extension) and transverse abdominus (a deep layer of abdominal muscle that stabilizes the lumbar spine and pelvis before movement) along with internal and external intercostals to name a few assist in providing stabilization of the spine during movement.
Many individuals will utilize the wrong muscles when attempting to strengthen their spine specifically when low back pain is present. Overactive muscles or those that are trained to “fire” or activate first are often the muscles that are not involved in stabilizing the spine.
Simple crunches or leg throw exercises often activate a cascade of muscles in the abdomen, upper and lower back and lower extremities. Although these exercises are good for overall strengthening, they fall short when someone is attempting to overcome lower back and pelvis pain. In fact, these exercises may be contributing to the problem.
Of course spinal strength is only one component to overall spinal wellness. There are many other factors that contribute to lower back health and the spine’s ability to successfully perform specific to the medical history and activity level of an individual.
If you are having spinal pain and would like a detailed assessment and treatment of your condition then feel free to call our office at (412) 794-8352.
If you would like more information about solving spinal conditions then-> click here.
If you would like to schedule a 30 minute free phone consultation regarding your specific condition then -> click here.
-Best in your health,
Michael Ricchiuto MPT, EMT-P
