Core Strength and Back Pain
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“Work your core!” That’s been the mantra of trainers and instructors at gyms everywhere. The stronger your core, the more support to your low back. But what constitutes your core and how best to strengthen those core muscles is being questioned in light of new findings coming out of the top spine research labs.
Far too much attention has been given to the deep abdominal muscles as the key to core strength. Concentrating on these muscles can actually destabilize the spine, putting it risk for injury. The way we perform many of the exercises that target these muscles puts a tremendous load on the spine, especially the intervertebral discs which can lead to a herniation.
Below is a short video in which professor of spine biomechanics Stuart McGill explains how to properly and safely do a few exercises that will strengthen you core in a balanced way:
From The New York Times Magazine, June 21, 2009
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