Back Pain Exercise: Are “Core Training” Exercises Effective?

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Back pain exercise can range from simple isometric activities to highly targeted exercises to address specific muscle weakness not under our conscious control. Perhaps one of the most overrated therapeutic exercise regimens is “spinal stabilization” exercise.

The premise behind this exercise regimen involves attempts at retraining the core muscles of the trunk, which are the muscles responsible for providing the trunk dynamic stability during activity.

This system of utilizing spinal stabilization exercises or “core training” as it’s called today, was popularized in the late ’80’s when Joe Montana (the quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers) underwent back surgery early in the season and was able to return to action during that same season. At the time, an unheard of feat. He attributed his fast recovery in part to the stabilization exercises used in the rehabilitation process following surgery.

Thus, the concept of spinal stabilization exercise (core training) was born. However…

In all but a few of the stabilization programs I’ve been exposed to, the routine is indiscriminately administered, poorly supervised, and does not take into account any of the overlapping muscle imbalances that influence the core stabilizers. As a result, there is zero benefit from this type of training.

A better way of exercising the “core” would be to address specific muscle imbalances first and then begin a very targeted exercise program aimed at engaging the deep spinal stabilizers - i.e. multifidus, rotatores, transversus abdominus, and rectus abdominus. In doing so, full spinal function is attained resulting in a better quality of movement and a more stable spine.

So, are core training exercises an effective means of treating back pain? Yes… if they’re sequenced properly and are done correctly.

To learn more about how to best treat specific muscle imbalances, take a look at this: End My Back Pain

I look forward to your questions and comments. Just fill out the form below.

Dedicated to Erasing Your Back Pain

Malton A. Schexneider, PT, MMSc
The Back Pain Expert

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