It is quite evident that almost everyone has experienced low back pain, or simply L.B.P, at some stage in his/her life. If the low back pain or L.B.P has been persistent for more than three months, it is described as a chronic L.B.P. It has repeatedly been reported that the prospect of resolving L.B.P is usually tough when it lasts for more than three months and above. Due to this, during this particular month, it is all about discussing the types of exercises ideal for addressing low back pain that has become chronic, (c L.B.P).
Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the impacts of stabilization workouts in individuals suffering from chronic low back pain. Looking deeply into the most recent published studies that examined patients for four weeks to four months; researchers found out that individuals who took part in exercises, including sling exercises, the use of Swiss ball, land-based or floor exercises, all reported improvements in disability and pain.
However, such improvements were not recognized among individuals in the non-exercise control group. Moreover, another study also revealed that there were differences in bone density between the groups and noticed an increase in bone density among the exercise group but a reduced bone density among the participants who declined to take part in exercise activities.
Another research conducted proved that there was an increased waist isometric strength among the exercise group. According to one particular study, it was found that the cross section of the multifidus MF, deep low back muscles, fine motor groups of muscles, which is regarded as one of the essential targets for strengthening low back, increased considerably after only eight weeks of the workout. Finally, another study conducted observed a common impact for the deep abdominal transverse muscles.
The above studies plus others, openly tells us that core exercises for stabilization have the potential to improve disability and pain scores among patients with c L.P.B. Additionally, it is clear that for individuals who do not take part in any of the exercise activity, it is not easy for them to realize any improvements and sadly, their condition might as well go beyond control.
So what are exercises for core stabilization?
Below are some options for Swiss ball, which you can try five to ten times and increase hold/reps times even as you increase your strength.
1. Sit-ups Start sitting and roll back halfway while holding it for varied lengths of time.
2. Bridge Start sitting, after that walk out so that the ball is positioned on the shoulder blades. Maintain your trunk collateral to the floor. Push the heels toward the floor so as to activate your buttock muscles (hip extensors) and finally move back up to a sitting position. If you intend to challenge yourself even further, you can test your hip extensor strength by raising one leg.
3. Sitting pelvic tilts. You can do this with both your feet, or even by one foot when looking to challenge yourself, on the ground as you rock the pelvis from left to right, front to back, or in a figure-8 or a circular manner.
4. See-saw Hug the ball while rolling out into a pull-up position. Keenly place the ball under your pelvis while lifting one of your legs at a time towards the roof, or ceiling. Then interchange between the right and left legs. Once you have become used to this particular exercise, you can try doing with both legs, and convert it into a more challenging task.
It is important to note that there exist NUMEROUS other exercises for Swiss ball, but the above-described ones are ideal for a start. In the next month, will critically discuss similar land-based or floor pelvic stabilization exercises!