I have recurring lower back pain and do not want to quit working out. Is there a solution to working with abs but not having severe back pain the next day? I really want to work with the lower back and abs so the back pain goes away, not get worse.
Holly

I use a stability ball that definitely supports the lower back big time. That's the only way I can work my stomach without making my back worse. Without that I can't work my abs.

Hmmmm thanks i have a stability ball. Ok i have three different sizes. I started using them few months ago and for some reason i quit. Thanks for reminding me. I am going to try and do my ab exercises with them.
Holly

Anytime I can help I will.

God bless you in your journey to a long lasting transformation

Jerome

Holly - Can you do a carefull back Extension? The type where your legs are locked into a devce which puts you in a position where you are facing the floor but up off the floor. Let your head and upper body come down to the floor by pivoting at the hip and then lift up so that you are parallel with the floor. This causes those lower back muscles to stretch and work so that in time it should improve your lower back.

By the way the gym ball is a good option for lower back support during abb workout. Mr Plantman knows his exercises

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Originally Posted by Carlo By the way the gym ball is a good option for lower back support during abb workout. Mr Plantman knows his exercises

Thanks Carlo,
just thought I let you know those deadlifts you told me about are working out great for me. I feel my lower back getting stronger. I know I had said this before but I am going to say it again everyone here is so supportive, great encouragement from one another. Everyone just lifting each other up in prayers it's totally awesome!!! I am such an emotional person, God bless everyone!

Not sure Carlo being i cant afford a gym membership. They didnt have that at the gym i was at though. I tried it facing up with someone holding my feet and i cant do it. I can only do a semi crunch, nothing to do with abs, just cannot get over the pain in my back. Sometimes i cant even get out of bed without help. Too bad i couldnt trade it in for a new model, my back that is. LOL

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Originally Posted by gotpeppernosalt Not sure Carlo being i cant afford a gym membership. They didnt have that at the gym i was at though. I tried it facing up with someone holding my feet and i cant do it. I can only do a semi crunch, nothing to do with abs, just cannot get over the pain in my back. Sometimes i cant even get out of bed without help. Too bad i couldnt trade it in for a new model, my back that is. LOL

Hang in there it will get better believe me I know what you are dealing with. There are days when I can barely walk because the pain is sooo bad but I push through even when my legs give out and I hit the floor, I get back up and try again. There is this scripture that gives me strength.....
I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST WHO GIVES ME STRENGTH
I am here for you if you need help..

God bless my friend
Jerome

Thank you Jerome! It has got somewhat easier since i started in January. I just dont have much patience for myself like I do with others. Last year i was not able to get out of bed until i did exercises. I rarely slept being i couldn't stand the pain. My doctor didnt want me to exercise and i decided that enough was enough. If I don't do something i am going to end up in a wheelchair. I don't like being in wheelchair! I was there!
My mother actually told my sister on the phone today that i needed to grow up and realize that i am not getting any younger. My cousin won tickets to go kayaking and i wanted to try it. I have always wanted to do that. My motto is try anything once, within reason (good choices). If you don't like it, don't do it again. At least you can say you tried.

Have a great weekend!
Holly

Hi Holly! I just wanted to drop you a quick note because the pain you are having sounds a lot like the same type of pain I periodically have to deal with! The last time this happened to me the pain was accute for about 6 weeks and then chronic and persistent for about a year. During that time I got so fed up with pain killers and bedrest I finally went to see a physiotherapist. In hindsight I should have made that appointment years earlier... but, better late than never. What the physio taught me, and I'd like to share with you, is this:
Strengthen your transverse abdominus muscle!!
This muscle acts like a girdle... it's deep in your abdomen and supports your low back and pelvis. I had never heard of it and so had to learn how to target and strengthen it. The good news is that to do so you don't have to move a lot... so you should have no pain. Plus, as it gets stronger you can start engaging it as you go about your life... particularly when you're changing positions (ie. standing to sitting) or bending over (ie. bending at the waist when brushing your teeth over a sink). The more you use it, the stronger it gets and the better able it is to do its job... which is protecting your low back.
I sincerely hope that this information helps you as much as it did me.
Petrina
(link below to one of many sites with information on this muscle... this one happens to be australian and provides a good overview)
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mhcs/pu...S-6915-ENG.pdf

thank you so much Petrina i will look it over tomorrow. I just love this site, everyone is soooo helpful.

I broke my back in 1993. So, it is very tempermental when it comes to exercise. I definitely have to do all core exercises slowly or my back will hurt.

I also have an inversion table at home that I get on any time I work out with my back and any time it is bothering me. It definitely helps.

I was going to a chiropractor that put me on this table and stretched my back. I soooo miss that table. LOL I am going to a different chiropractor now and just get it cracked. It is actually working better now. I am finally down to 2 days a week.

Carlo,
I do my back extensions on my Body Ball-Facing down I place it under my hips-and I brace my feet against a wall behind me. I do exactly what you described, go down and then come up till I'm parallel to the floor-works great!

Amy

How exactly are you doing that with the exercise ball? Without falling off it of course.

Holly,

Here is the best chair ever! I use it in my classroom-although substitute teachers aren't too sure about it! )
I love it because you must sit up straight in it. It has helped my back SO much over the last two years!



You can find it at wwwdotgaiamdotcom

As far as the back extensions with the ball, bracing your feet against the wall is what keeps you stable.

I am going to try that tomorrow when i do my LBWO thanks. Hmmm the chair looks comfortable.

Walk, walk ,walk. Strengthens you core therefore strengthens your back. It helps me. As for LBWO I would avoid the leg press, as it puts unecessary pressure on you spine. Also strengthen your abs will help. Tonia

Thanks Tonia. I walk quite a bit! Almost 50 miles this weekend in two days. My legs are soooooo like noodles right now.