Easy Stomach Exercise for Back Pain

It may not sound logical...

...but doing easy stomach exercise may help alleviate some of your back pain. What's the connection?

The abdominal muscles, often referred to as "core muscles", or "abs", or more technically - the rectus abdominis, the transverses, the external oblique and the internal oblique - extend from various parts of the ribs to areas of the pelvis, forming a portion of the "girdle" that holds the mid-section together.

Consisting of three layers, these muscles are very important to spinal support, posture and overall back health. And, just like the rest of our muscles, the stomach muscles weaken with age and need exercise to remain strong and flexible.

The combination of strong stomach muscles, with strong back muscles, can help prevent and even treat many types of back pain - particularly those caused by soft tissue injury and back ligament or back muscle strain.

Start Strengthening Your Stomach Muscles

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Looking for some good exercise for the stomach?

Try a few of the best stomach firming exercises I have found. These are all easy to do, but remember to start off slow. Even easy stomach exercises can put undo strain on your muscles. And, of course, you should not begin an exercise program without first consulting your physician.

When doing exercises which require you to lie on your back, do so on a firm surface, a firm, non-flexible surface. No matter how supportive you think your mattress is, it's not the place for these. Try the floor, but use a mat. Your tailbone will thank you for it!

Want to get even stronger abs? Add some fitness ball exercises to your routine.

Lower Abdominal Exercise
Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat to the floor. Flatten your back to the floor by bringing your abdominal muscles in. Maintain your pelvic tilt while keeping your resting leg relaxed at all times.

1. Bring one knee toward your chest. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Return to starting position, then repeat with your opposite knee.
2. Bring one knee toward your chest. Straighten the knee. Hold for 5 seconds. Slowly lower your leg to the starting position, then repeat on the opposite leg.
3. Raise your leg, keeping your knee straight. Hold for 10 seconds. Slowly lower your leg to the floor, then repeat on the opposite leg.

Leg Extender
Lie on your back with your hands under your buttocks.

1. Lift your legs so they are vertical.
2. While contracting your abs, lower both legs so that the back of your feet are right above the ground. After holding that position for a couple of seconds, return your legs to the vertical position. Repeat.

Elbow Raise
Lie face down, resting on your forearms.

1. Push off the ground, rising up so weight is on your toes and elbows.
2. Keep your back flat. Your whole body needs to stay aligned.
3. Stay in this position for 5 seconds and then go back to the starting position. Repeat 5 times.

Partial Curl Ups
Lie on your back and cross arms loosely across your chest.

1. Tighten your abdomen muscles and curl up towards a sitting position.
2. Hold for 5 seconds and slowly return to starting position.
3. Repeat 5 times.

1. Lie with lower back flattened to the floor.
2. Tighten your abdominal muscles and buttocks. Slowly roll your pelvis backward and lift it up off the floor, lifting one vertebra at a time. Rise until your pelvis and lower back are fully off the floor.
3. Keep a straight line position. Do not arch your back. Hold in this position for 5 seconds while breathing naturally.
4. Lower you body slowly, one vertebra at a time, starting with the upper vertebra and ending with the tailbone.
5. Repeat 5-10 times.

Abdominal Tightening

1. Lie on the floor, on your back with knees bent, feet flat to the floor.
2. Inhale deeply. On your exhale tighten your abdominal muscles and lift your left foot a couple of inches off the floor. Hold for a couple of seconds.
3. Return your leg to the starting position and do the same with your right leg.
4. Repeat 10 times with each leg.

Another easy stomach exercise, probably the best AND easiest of them all, and definitely an exercise to flatten your stomach...

...try holding your stomach muscles tight as often as you can while sitting or standing. Over time, you will be amazed at the difference this can make in the tightness in these muscles, and the improvement in your posture.

Want to get that same tight muscle feel right away? Try this one...

Backwards Bend

1. Stand straight with your feet shoulder width apart, keeping knees straight.
2. Place hands on your back at waist level.
3. Bend backwards at your waist keeping your knees as straight as possible.
4. Hold 10 seconds and then return slowly to upright position.
5. Repeat several times without putting undo stress on your stomach muscles.

A bit of abdominal strengthening exercise, along with back stretching exercise and back strengthening exercise may have you well on the way to a healthier back and spine!