Exercise to Avoid Back Trouble

Your Health

Athletic activity is generally good for you.  It can put strain on your back, however.  Tennis, golf, diving, rowing and cycling can put tremendous pressure on the back.  Runners, by the way, have a statistically lower chance of developing back problems than do other athletes.

One way to avoid back problems is to do exercises that strengthen the body’s core, the middle part of the body, between the knees and chest.  When those muscles are strong, they help stabilize the spine and  prevent injury.  Abdominal crunches-opposed to the classic sit-up-are key to strengthening  the core.  To crunch, lie on the the floor with knees bent. Cross your arms over your chest and raise your head and trunk slightly from the floor.  Pulling yourself upright, as in the old sit-up, is bad for the back.  A variation on the crunch is to lie with knees bent, put your hands under your lower back for support and straighten one leg. Keep your neck, and lower spine straight and lift your shoulders and chest off the floor.  Hold the position for 10 seconds.  Repeat 10 times and switch legs.  Talk to your chiropractor about other exercises you do to maintain a health back.