Avoiding back pain

Press, 8 May 1986, Page 9

Avoiding back pain

By

JUDI SHEPPARD MISSETT

Q: When performing exercises for my abdominals, my lower back frequently hurts. What am I doing wrong? A: Lower back discomfort often occurs during abdominal exercises because the two areas are so closely intertwined. If you are experiencing pain, it is likely that your abdominal muscles are not strong enough to handle the exercise, and you are compensating by arching

or twisting your back. There are several ways you can modify exercises to take the stress off your back. Make sure your lower back remains flat on the floor throughout the entire range of motion. When executing sit-up style exercises try placing your hands beneath your hips for support instead of behind your head. Never execute a sit-up with your legs fully ex-

tended. Always bend at the knee, placing your feet flat on the floor. Concentrate on curling your torso off the floor one vertebra at a time, and make your abdominals do the work, not your

head or arms! The most effective abdominal exercises are actually curl-ups which bring your head and shoulders only six to 12 inches off the floor. If you are doing scissorstyle kicks, bend your

knees slightly to reduce the pull on your back. Avoid leg lifts, and if your back begins to arch off the floor, you’ve lowered your legs too far. Keep your abdominals tight throughout and stop

if you feel any pain. Put some of these tips into action with the following abdominal strengthener to “Out of Touch” by Hall and Oates. — Copyright, Jazzercise Inc.