Abdominal Workouts with Back Pain

rawrcandra
rawrcandra Posts: 9
edited November 11 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi all, I have a bulged disc (L5-S1), I do see a specialist about it, so I am slowly working on something to help manage the pain. Anyway, I was wondering are there any kind of exercises for the abs where I won't have to get on my back. Even if I try on carpet, I cannot lay on my back without any type of pain. Thanks for any help!

Replies

  • Sam_I_Am77
    Sam_I_Am77 Posts: 2,093 Member
    rawrcandra wrote: »
    Hi all, I have a bulged disc (L5-S1), I do see a specialist about it, so I am slowly working on something to help manage the pain. Anyway, I was wondering are there any kind of exercises for the abs where I won't have to get on my back. Even if I try on carpet, I cannot lay on my back without any type of pain. Thanks for any help!

    See if your specialist can refer you to a physical therapist. You likely need to improve your Core strength and a PT will help you with this, I've been through it and it's worth it. Once you get your disc situation improved and you're feeling better then you can always come back here for better Core training.
  • rawrcandra
    rawrcandra Posts: 9
    Sam_I_Am77 wrote: »
    rawrcandra wrote: »
    Hi all, I have a bulged disc (L5-S1), I do see a specialist about it, so I am slowly working on something to help manage the pain. Anyway, I was wondering are there any kind of exercises for the abs where I won't have to get on my back. Even if I try on carpet, I cannot lay on my back without any type of pain. Thanks for any help!

    See if your specialist can refer you to a physical therapist. You likely need to improve your Core strength and a PT will help you with this, I've been through it and it's worth it. Once you get your disc situation improved and you're feeling better then you can always come back here for better Core training.
    Thank you so much for the advice. I will definitely talk to him about it when I see him on Tuesday.
  • emma_vdv
    emma_vdv Posts: 34 Member
    If your specialist okays it pilates might be a good one. Hypermobility has really damaged the facet joints in my back so I can't physically lay flat but there are loads of exercises that dont need you to lie back and really help build up core strength
  • rawrcandra
    rawrcandra Posts: 9
    emma_vdv wrote: »
    If your specialist okays it pilates might be a good one. Hypermobility has really damaged the facet joints in my back so I can't physically lay flat but there are loads of exercises that dont need you to lie back and really help build up core strength

    Thanks! I will ask him about it. I am sorry about your issue. That is just awful. :(
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    I wouldn't worry about doing "ab" exercises like crunches, etc (which you really shouldn't be doing anyway if you have a disc problem). You want to train the total core and there are lots of ways to this in a standing position.

    Step up
    Single leg squat and reach
    Pallof presses
    Front raise
    Sit to stand
    Straight arm pulldown
    Wide grip lat pulldown
    Hip extension
    Hip abduction
    Bird dog
    Superman

    That's just the start. Any one of these exercises is better than an ab curl for training your core.
  • SweatLikeDog
    SweatLikeDog Posts: 320 Member
    Planks
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