Everyone please be careful when following the "strong abs" help ease back pain theories.

Ab strength is a definate bonus but you have to understand that you have 4 muscle groups all working as a team to keep your lower spine mechanically functional.

Those muscle groups are the abs, low back, quads, and hamstrings. Any weakness or excess strength in that chain and you can have adverse effects. It is very important to remember that developing one group and neglecting another will result in imbalance.

The quads recipricate with the low back and the hams with the abs..........so strong abs is just a piece of the puzzle.

The lumbar spine curves forwards in a normal lordosis. Strong abs that overpower the other groups will result in a decrease in this lordosis=not good. In the opposite spectrum, strong lumbar muscles alone will cause an increased lordosis=not good.

The best advice.........just like any other topic is a good overall program that focuses on total body fitness (the extra lbs in a belly stress a low back all day long).

Most relief obtained from low back excersises in the acute stage is from just re-establishing a proper range of motion. Long term relief is usually not the result of one magic potion (crunches, stretching, weight loss...etc) it is more often a combo of many of them.


Most importantly is getting a proper diagnosis as to what actually is wrong with you. You will be much better off once you are confident that you know what the problem is and therefore better able to directly address it.


Look up the McKenzie excersises for low back pain and try them out. They are simple, low impact and not time consuming.

They are worth a try that's for sure.


On the stand topic...........a foot rail is a nice option for stand comfort. Helps take stress off lower body.

I have a Summit Goliath and it is as comfortable as I can imagine a stand being. They have the Revolution which looks even more comfy. Check it out.



Best of Luck