Back pain affects most people at one time or another. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke says that back pain costs Americans $50 billion annually and is second to headaches as the most prevalent neurological complaint. Since the muscles of the abdomen help support the back, incorporating regular abdominal exercise into your lifestyle is a good preventive measure.
Back Pain
Back pain can be acute, lasting a day or a week, or chronic, lasting months. Acute back pain generally occurs after an injury or trauma resulting from an activity or accident. Chronic back pain builds over time and its cause might be hard to pinpoint.
Muscles
The transversus abdominis muscle deep in the abdomen helps stabilize the torso. The "six-pack" or the rectus abdominus connect to the ribs and the pelvis and help you lift and bend. The external and internal oblique muscles help the torso twist and are located on the sides of the rectus abdominis.
Potential
Bodybuilding.com says building strong muscles through abdominal exercise is beneficial in preventing injury, facilitating healing following surgery and decreasing your chance of developing back pain. Abdominal exercises strengthen the joints, improve flexibility and support the muscles of the back in stabilizing the spine.
Effects
According to a June 3, 2009, article in "Express News," a University of Alberta study of 240 men and women suffering from chronic lower-back pain showed a correlation between exercise and pain relief. Those exercising with weights four days a week experienced a 28 percent decrease in back pain, while those exercising twice a week experienced a 14 percent decrease in back pain.
Abdominal Exercises
Abdominal exercises such as the pelvic tilt and passive extension can strengthen and stretch the ligaments and muscles of the back and help prevent back pain. Lying on your back with knees bent, use your abdominal muscles to push your lower back toward the floor while slightly tilting your pelvis up; hold a few seconds. Lying on your stomach, put your hands beside your shoulders and push the upper part of your body off the ground, then lift your head up and back; hold for several seconds. Performing abdominal exercises such as the pelvic tilt and passive extension several times daily can help to strengthen the muscles of the abdomen and decrease back pain.
Considerations
Consult with your physician before performing abdominal exercises for back pain. If you experience pain while doing exercises, stop exercising immediately.
