Are Planks Good For Lower Back Pain

What Exercises Can I Do If I Have A Herniated Disc

You may do the same exercises for a herniated disc you would do for a bulging disc, but because herniated discs are typically more problematic, your movements may be more restricted by pain. Depending on the severity of your condition and your pain level, activities that will be helpful are leg-strengthening exercises, low-impact aerobic activities, and stretches. Spinal decompression therapy with a trained health professional is also an option.

Reverse Planks That Help Strengthen The Core And Lower Body

With all plank variations, the reverse plank is an excellent way to strengthen your core. Its especially good for the muscles in your lower back, hamstrings, abs and your glutes.

If you have lower back problems or feel pain/ discomfort, a properly performed reverse plank could ease the pain by strengthening the core muscles. However, if youre not doing it right or feel back or neck pain during the exercise, start with a regular plank.

One of the first places you gain weight is typically around your belly. Its also one of the hardest places to lose fat. So the reverse plank is perfect to help build muscle alongside a balanced diet.

Doing planks is a great way to keep your abdomen, back and glutes tight and strong. Plus there are variations of this exercise that you should also incorporate into your fitness routine to achieve better results.

Dos And Donts Of Planks

To make a plan more effective and less likely to cause harm to your body. Here is a list of things you should do and others you should make sure you steer away from.

• While doing a plank, you need to stay firm . The idea behind the plank is to shape your body in a shape similar to a plank of wood. This means while doing it you should be stable and you should create a straight line with your body from your head to your neck.
• You should not sag or pike your hips and butt region while going planks . Sagging or rising your hips while doing plans will lead to you not engaging the muscles that you need to be engaging while doing a plank. It also increases the risk of getting injured which is something you absolutely dont want to happen.
• Another thing to do is to make sure you relax your shoulders while doing the planks . People are usually too tense in the shoulder and upper regions of the body while doing a plank and this should not be the case.
• The final thing that you should make sure to do is to keep your hands and forearms aligned to your shoulders . You should also relax your hands while doing this workout.

Recommended Reading: Does Aleve Work For Back Pain

Can Plank Exercises Hurt Your Back

While it has many positive qualities, youll want to talk to a doctor before performing a plank if you already have back pain. If done incorrectly, planks could have the opposite of their intended effect.

Its a double-edged sword, explains Dr. Crooks, its a great exercise because it works all the parts of your core, but if you already have back pain or perform it improperly, the plank can actually aggravate your back.

If you feel any strain at all, its best to play it safe. Full planks can be a very intense workout, and Dr. Crooks says they shouldnt be performed by someone with a back injury or an untrained core. If you do intend to do the plank, make sure you perform it correctly.

Youll want to choose an area clear of furniture where you can stretch out to your entire body length. Once youve found a suitable space, follow these steps to perform a full plank.

How To Fix Lower Back Pain At Home

Lower back pain is an increasingly common experience for so many people around the world. It can strike after exercise, traumatic event, or even lifting the laundry bin. The spine and its muscles are a robust network to support the body and its movement but can also be the source of discomfort and pain.

The most important aspect of dealing with low back pain is getting the right care at the right time.

If you experience a traumatic injury or event that leads to back pain seek immediate medical attention. The list of stretches and exercises below assume that your back pain is a non-emergency injury and you can tolerate a pain-free range of motion throughout each movement.

These movements are in order of intensityand complexity, if you are trying them at home do work through the list progressively.

All of the stretches should be done daily and exercises can be completed in 3 sets of 10 repetitions 3-4 times a week. Also, if you have a foam roller that can too be a good way to carefully releave pain.

Recommended Reading: Advil Or Aleve For Back Pain

Plank With Thoracic Spine Rotation

• Start in a standard high-plank position.
• Press the right hand into the ground, rotate both feet and hips to the left while raising the left arm off of the ground. Rotate the left arm down, then repeat the move to the other side, pushing the left hand into the ground and rotating the right arm up.
• Repeat for three to six repetitions on each side.

Stretch #4 Hamstring Stretch

The hamstring stretch is a great exercise to do at home. The reason the hamstrings need to be stretched when lower back pain is present is that the hamstring attaches to the pelvis. If these muscles are tight of experiencing tone they can affect the position of the pelvis which can be related to low back pain. If the pelvis is tilted by the hamstrings over time that position may produce symptoms further up the spine.

These areas are related through a system called the posterior chain. The posterior chain is all of the muscle from the back of the ankle to the back of the head of the posterior, or back side of the body.

This system works together to regulate anterior, or forward movements of the body. If these muscles are tight or weak that can be a source of issues for the spine.

Stretching the hamstrings can be done several ways, but laying on your back with both knees bent and feet flat is a great starting point.

Once in that position, lift one leg straight up in the air leaving a slight bend in the stretching legâs knee and move that leg closer to your body. There will be a sensation of stretch in the hamstrings between the bottom of the glute and back of the knee. You can use a towel of some sorts if you find that useful.

Recommended Reading: Does Aleve Help Back Pain

Planks Are Easy To Modify

While the classic plank is a great go-to exercise, planks can also be modified and added to in order to suit what your body needs.

Dropping to your forearms in the plank position is one modification you can do. Increasing the length of time you hold the pose is another way to maximize the exercise. Start with a 15- to 30-second hold, and increase your time from there.

Make two minutes your maximum time limit. If youre looking to increase your athletic performance, research shows that repeated 10-second holds may be the best workout.

Want to incorporate planks into your everyday regime? Try these different variations on the classic exercise.

Which Muscles Are Worked By Planks

The plank engages many muscles in your body. Here are the main muscles it works :

• Rectus abdominis muscles. These are the muscles located in the front region of your abdomen. People mostly refer to them as abs or six packs.
• Transverse abdominis muscles. These muscles are also referred to as corseting muscles. They are referred to as corseting muscles because they help cinch the waist and act as core stabilizers that support your lower back.
• Trapezius and rhomboid muscles. These muscles are located in the upper region of your back.
• Pectorals. Most referred to as the pecs. They are the chest muscles.
• Serratus anterior muscles. These are muscles that are usually around your shoulders and the sides of your chest.

Recommended Reading: How Much Advil For Back Pain

Ways The Plank Boosts Your Lower Back Health A Guest Post

Are you planking? If not, you should really consider it.This exercise replaced the crunch as the number one core strength exercise recently.More and more people add it to their workout regime, and many are doing it in rehabilitation programs and injury prevention sessions.Lets see what is the plank and how it can actually help us with lower back health!

Plank With Hip Flexion/extension

• Start in a standard high-plank position.
• Raise the right leg approximately 6 to 8 inches, hold for five seconds and then alternate legs. Start with three to four repetitions and gradually increase over time.
• To increase the level of difficulty, raise the right and then bring the right knee up to the outside of the right elbow return to the starting position. Alternate legs for three to five repetitions.

Don’t Miss: Will Aleve Help With Back Pain

Q: What Are Some Exercises For The Core That Can Help With Back Pain

Here are my top five:

• Side plank Sit on the floor with your right hand below your right shoulder and feet stacked. Lift your body, keeping your legs long, abdominals engaged and feet stacked. Hold. Repeat on the other side. You can modify this pose by dropping your bottom knee to the floor for extra support.

• Plank Kneel on all fours. Pull in your abdomen and step your feet behind you until your legs are straight. Keep your hands directly under your shoulders and your neck straight. Hold your abdomen and legs tight and avoid letting your lower back sag. Hold and breathe for 30 seconds. You can modify this pose by lowering your knees.

• Bird dog Kneel on all fours. Reach one arm out in front of you, draw in your abdomen, and extend the opposite leg long behind you. Repeat on the other side.

• Lie on your back with knees bent. Take a deep breath in and as you breathe out draw your belly muscles in as if tightening a belt. As you do this lift one leg a few inches from the floor. Return to starting position and switch sides. Repeat for 8-10 repetitions on each side. 3 sets.

• Upward dog Lie face down with head slightly lifted and hands palm-down under your shoulders. Point your toes. Exhale, then press through your hands and the tops of your feet and raise your body and legs up until your arms are straight and your body and legs are off the ground. Keep your neck relaxed and long and thigh muscles tight as you hold and breathe.

Exercises To Fix Back Pain At Home

After stretching the area and getting an understanding of your individual range of motion and pain tolerance the next step to fixing back pain at home is to strengthen the surrounding musculature.

This is important to reduce the likelihood of injury again and restore full range of motion in the future â pain-free.

Recommended Reading: How Much Advil For Back Pain

What Does A Plank Do For The Body

In addition to being a core exercise, a plank is a full-body exercsie that requires proper engagement of the thighs, arms and back. But to reap these benefits, you have to engage all of these muscles, which is something people often overlook. All of the benefits of a plank increased balance and posture, improved core strength, reduced stomach fat are dependent on your form.

Are Planks Good For Lower Back Pain

The short answer to that question is yes. Planks are good for dealing with lower back pain and back pain in general. Planks belong to a category of exercises that are referred to as core stabilization exercises and study shows that these particular types of workout help alleviate back pain to a strong degree . A study aimed to determine if the combined efforts of manual physical therapy and core stability exercises therapy would help in the management of lower back pains.

The core stabilization exercises were used in the study to help with strengthening of the spinal muscles. If the spinal muscles are strong, it would mean that they have the ability to hold the spine correctly, preventing and reducing back pains. The core stabilization workouts that were used in the study were divided into two categories static activity exercises and dynamic floor core stability exercises . The static workouts used were planks, side planks, bridges and supermans. The dynamic floor exercises used were side lying abductions, oblique crunches, straight leg raises and lying wind screens.

Also Check: How Much Advil For Back Pain

Q: Can You Injure Your Back By Trying To Strengthen Your Core

Any exercise performed incorrectly, whether it is core-strengthening or otherwise, has the potential to cause discomfort.

Twisting exercises or even incorrectly completing the exercises cited above can cause pain in the low back. But its highly unlikely that one repetition of an exercise will seriously harm your body, unless its an exercise using a very heavy weight.

The best way to keep your body safe is to listen to body cues such as pain during and immediately after an exercise, and the next day after exercising.

Planks For Back Pain: Another Reason Why This Go

Planks are among the most common type of exercise. They are common because they come with a wide range of benefits, are easy to do, literally anyone can do them. Just like any other exercise, for you to enjoy the benefits and prevent being injured, you have to planks in the right form. In this read, we shall look at planks for back pain, how to do planks properly to avoid back pain, other benefits of doing planks and everything else related to planks.

Don’t Miss: How Much Advil For Back Pain

What Are The General Benefits Of Planks

Planks are amazing for the whole body.

They activate muscles from your shoulders to your legs. Your muscles have to work in synergy to achieve the proper plank position and maintain it for the time. Plank exercises support proper posture and improve your balance, and are also good for your mood because they relax stiff and tense muscle groups.

Exercise To Prevent Back Pain

When strength training, many of us focus our routines on our arms and legssquats to challenge quads, curls to firm biceps.

Those muscles are surely thankful for all that hard work. Think for a moment, though, about why: Not only do you look more toned, but you can climb stairs and lift groceries with far more ease. Your back, an area you may overlook when at the gym, could similarly benefit from some attention. After all, you engage it during virtually every move you make throughout the day.

The impressive collection of large and small muscles in your back supports your spine so you can stand up straight, bend, turn and more. That means they are called on for everything from sitting in a desk chair to loading the laundry to walking the dog. Since these muscles play such a critical role in supporting your body and its movement, its probably not surprising that weakness is often at the root of back injury, as well as chronic back pain, which 80 percent of adults face.

Showing your back muscles some love can actually be achieved with moves that target them specifically as well as total-body exercises that help promote fluid movement and prevent your back from becoming overburdened. Try our five key back exercises, and consider these other strategies for a healthy back when crafting your next workout.

Strengthen Your Core

If you suffer from back pain, try a modified side plank:

Increase Flexibility and Range of Motion

Encourange Healthy Circulation

Also Check: Aleve Lower Back Pain

Is Walking Good For A Herniated Disc

Absolutely. Walking is an excellent choice for patients with herniated discs, as it stimulates blood flow and oxygen to the cells. It also helps keep your discs hydrated, which is important for healing. Other low-impact aerobic activities to try are swimming and cycling.

If youre still uncertain about the types of exercises you should avoid with a herniated, slipped, or bulging disc , talk to your doctor for additional guidance.

About 3Spine

3Spine is a new kind of healthcare company that vertically integrates the development, clinical research, and delivery of novel healthcare technology. The BalancedBack Total Joint Replacement is the technology platform developed by 3Spine as an alternative to fusion for the lumbar spine.

3Spine SEZC

More Advanced Plank Exercises

Once youve mastered both the modified and full plank, you may want to target different areas of your body. Here is a list of plank variations for further core strength:

• Side Plank: Shift your weight to one forearm while extending your other arm into the air.
• One-arm Plank: Lift one hand off the ground, then alternate.
• Single-leg Plank: Lift one leg off the ground, then alternate.
• Walking Plank: Shift your right hand and foot evenly, then bring your left hand and foot over to return to full plank position.
• Reverse Plank: Face the opposite direction and push upwards towards the ceiling.

Also Check: Tylenol Or Aleve For Back Pain