How to Get a Toned Abdomen When You Suffer From Back Pain

Oh, those dreaded abs! We work them - and work them - then work them some more, all in the attempt for that perfectly sculpted six-pack. But are we being realistic?

Having a six-pack comes down to percentage of body fat - not how many crunches we do. So why bother, right? Wrong! Strong abdominal muscles are important to our back. Strong abs means the burden of body support is not left to your spine alone.

But what if we already have low back pain?

That's a good question since 80 - 90% of adults will experience some type of back pain.
For some, it will be cause-related and temporary. But for others, back pain, especially in the lumbar or low back area, will become chronic, often impeding on their healthy routine. Then before they know it pain has led them to become sedentary. Exercise routines become nonexistent and muscle tone disappears.

EXERCISING WITH BACK PAIN
Suffering from back pain should not be an excuse to halt your exercise routine indefinitely. Of course, when the pain is acute (meaning having a rapid onset with severe pain, usually related to some type of trauma), rest is indicated to allow the body to heal.

And after an episode of back pain, you should consult with your primary care provider to assure you are ready for physical activity.

But, there is truth in the old adage -"if you don't use it, you lose it". It takes weeks, even months to build up muscle tone, yet only a few days to see a significant decrease. And the more muscle tone you lose, the worse your back may feel, especially if you're letting those abdominals slack.
A strong stomach may not alleviate low back pain, but it can help. Strong abdominals enhance breathing and increase posture, which will help avoid further injuries to your back.

ABDOMINAL EXERCISES WITH BACK PAIN
Abdominal exercises become a challenge when back pain is present simply because most tummy workouts put a strain on your back. But they simply cannot be ignored.

When bouts of back pain plague you the best rule of thumb is to remember the "no pain, no gain" motto does not apply. If your abdominal routine hurts your back too much, it may be time to tweak it a bit.