Past research has shown that weak core muscles can affect spinal stability. Spinal stability can increase one’s risk for low back pain. Low back pain patients are advised to be physically active or remain as active as possible. Not only to aid in the management of their present condition but also reduce the risk of recurrence. Is general physical activity the best approach or should a patient also engage in exercises that specifically target the abdominal muscles?

Low Back Pain Study

To find out, researchers conduct a ten-year study that includes 600 patients with recurrent low back pain. Patients split into four groups. Strengthening exercises, flexibility exercises, strengthening exercises with abdominal bracing during both exercise and daily activities, and flexibility exercises with abdominal bracing during both exercise and daily activities. The research team checked in with each participant once a year. Check-ups were on both the frequency, intensity, and duration of their low back pain. It was also on the frequency, intensity, and duration of their exercise habits.

The data show that the patients in the abdominal-bracing groups experienced better outcomes. However, the intensity and duration of exercise did not seem to have an effect. The investigators observed a link between the frequency of exercise and abdominal bracing during regular activities and a reduction in low back pain frequency, intensity, and duration. The authors of the study speculate that frequently contracting the abdominal muscles increases trunk muscle stiffness. By acting like a back belt on demand, the combination of exercise with abdominal bracing should be recommended as a long-term management strategy.

A separate study included 48 chronic low-back pain patients. Researchers observed that walking combined with lumbar stabilization exercises reduced low back pain and also improved core muscle endurance, which may reduce the risk for future episodes.

The findings highlight the importance of following your chiropractor’s recommendations to stay active and perform specific exercises to strengthen the lower back and core muscles, not only to help reduce your present back pain but lower the risk of recurrence.