What role do abdominal muscles play in back pain?
Strengthening abdominal muscles helps support the back and eliminating back pain. http://www.bukisa.com/articles/45100_the-link-between-abdominal-muscles-and-back-pain The Link between Abdominal Muscles and Back Pain Low back pain (LBP) affects 80 percent of the population at some form in their life. In addition, 50 percent of all Americans have some form of back pain. Several factors have shown associations with the incidence of low back pain and the link between abdominal muscles; causing back pain; often due to weakened stomach muscles. Exercise Program Advocates suggest strengthening your abdominal muscles to help support your back and to eliminate back pain. Strengthening the abdominal muscles, back and hip extensor muscles helps protect against back injury by having an exercise program that will strengthen your abdominal muscles and back. A study from University of A
What the Abdominal Muscles Are: The abdominal muscles are a group of 6 muscles that extend from various places on the ribs to various places on the pelvis. They provide movement and support to the trunk, often called the core. They also assist in the breathing process. Why Abdominal Muscles are Special: Abdominal muscles are special because they provide postural support. They also play a role defining the form (with strength exercise). For example,the most superficial abdominal muscle, the rectus abdominus, gives the 6-pack ab effect when it is worked to a high degree of fitness. More structurally, the deeper and closer to the spine the particular abdominal muscle is, the more effect over body posture it will have, and this often contributes significantly to a healthy back. The 6 Abdominal Muscles: The six abdominal muscles all affect body posture. The deeper the muscle is located (i.e. the closer to the spine), the more powerful effect it will have, and therefore, the greater capacity
I confused a client yesterday by saying that her core muscles were stronger than most peoples, but then also telling her that her core was weak. Say what? She was quite athletic with strong muscles throughout her body. The problem was that her core muscles weren’t as strong as her abdominal muscles. This imbalance was a source of her low back pain. Core muscles stabilize the skeleton and give leverage to other muscles. Using superficial muscles like the rectus abdominus, pectoralis major, latissimus dorsi, quadriceps, and gluteus maximus without participation from the core will pull the skeleton out of alignment and create injury to ligaments and spinal discs. Unfortunately, most gyms promote strengthening of these large, superficial muscles. “Is Your Ab Workout Hurting Your Back” by Tami Parker-Pope, published in the New York Times June 17, 2009 gives a great explanation and a video with some good exercises. Sources:
