Core strengthening to reduce low back pain.

Core strengthening to reduce low back pain.  
Low back pain is a common concern prevalent in up to 80% of the population at some time in their lifetime (1). Low back pain is a multifaceted condition that develops in response to several risk factors including occupational duties (ie desk work, manual labour etc), age, gender, postural habits, behavioural and environmental factors (smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyles) and psychological factors (stress, anxiety, depression etc) (1).
While there are many causes of low back pain, a key factor that mechanically contributes to the pain, is weakness and deactivation of the core muscles. The core muscles include the abdominals, obliques and lower back musculature, these muscles provide support for the vertebrae and when inactive can create spinal instability. This leaves the body more prone to injury, pain, and discomfort. By activating your core muscles through prescribed exercises, you can build strength to the muscles surrounding your spine and assist in alleviating low back pain (1).
In a study published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation in 2020, it was established that a combination of core activation exercises with manual therapy was an effective treatment protocol in reducing low back pain in patients with lumbar disc herniations.  The study concluded that patients who received the combination of exercises with manual therapies had significantly improved functional abilities and reduced pain scores than with manual therapies alone (2). Improving core stability provides therapeutic benefits for patients experiencing chronic low back pain notably more than rest or minimal activity strategies.
Book in to see one of our experienced Chiropractors to see if chiropractic care including core stabilisation exercises are right for you.


1.Frizziero, A.; Pellizzon, G.; Vittadini, F.; Bigliardi, D.; Costantino, C. Efficacy of Core Stability in Non-Specific Chronic Low Back Pain. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2021, 6, 37. https://doi.org/10.3390/ jfmk6020037
2. Kim YJ, Kim YH, Lee JS, Lee DJ. Effects of core stabilisation exercises combined with manual therapy on the functional disability, pain intensity, and active trigger points in patients with low back pain caused by lumbar disc herniation. J Back Musculoskelet Rehabil. 2020;33(2):177-183. Doi: 10.3233/BMR-181309
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