Worst Exercises for Your Back

Achieving a good level of fitness is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and promoting good health for individuals of all ages. Unfortunately, many exercises that are performed in an attempt to strengthen the body can wreak havoc on the spine and muscles of the back when done incorrectly. The following are 5 of the most common exercises that often result in back pain, presented by the Beverly Hills spine surgeons at The Spine Institute Center for Spinal Restoration.

  1. Sit-Ups and Crunches

    Sit-ups and crunches are popular exercises that people have been doing for years in an effort to achieve a firmer abdomen, but they actually only work about 20 percent of the abdominal muscles. Performing sit-ups and crunches actually puts a strain on the muscles and spine along the entire back.

  2. Squats 

    Core-strengthening exercises such as squats have become a popular fitness trend. If they are performed with a rounded rather than a straightened back, an unnatural strain is put on the lower back. Squats can be extremely beneficial, but only when proper form is exercised.

  3. Planks

    When planks are performed correctly, they are a great exercise that strengthens the body’s core and abdominal muscles. The head, abdomen and hips should not be allowed to sag while in plank form and need to be kept in line with the body. Maintaining the posture with a sinking head, abdomen and hips causes strain on the whole back.

  4. Push-Ups

    Push-ups provide a great workout for the entire body, but they can cause back and shoulder injuries if they are done incorrectly. Like the plank, push-ups should be done with the hips and head in line with the body, and the abdominal muscles should be pulled in to help support the spine. Allowing any part of the body to droop while performing sit-ups can cause injury to the back.

  5. Double Leg Lifts

    The purpose of doing double leg lifts is to strengthen the lower back and abdomen, but performing them poses a risk of lumbar strain. The exercise forces the lower spine to unnaturally arch back, which can cause muscle and disc injury.

Are you experiencing back pain that you think may be from working out? Are you concerned that your back pain could limit your ability to continue exercising regularly? Early detection often offers the best chance for proper treatment, so request an in-person consultation with Dr. Hyun Bae or one of his spinal specialists to diagnose your back pain. Experienced in this field and leading some of the most innovative clinical trials for back pain treatment, when working with Dr. Bae and his team, you can rest assured that you’re in good hands. For more information, call 310-828-7757 today.