The anterior abdominal muscles are made up of four muscle groups. These muscles are the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles. This group of muscles helps to stabilize the trunk, provide organ stability, and assist inflexionand rotation of the trunk.Strengthening these muscles helps support the body’s frame and may decrease back pain and injuries. By keeping your abdominals strong, you can help support your back and limit the amount of stress placed upon your spine.If you have back pain, check in with your physical therapist (PT) and learn what you can do tocomprehensively treat your pain. Your PT can help you find the best exercises for you, and he or she can help you attain and maintain ​good posture to keep your spine in its optimal position.Before starting any exercise program for your back, you must check in with your healthcare provider to ensure that exercise is safe for you to do.

The anterior abdominal muscles are made up of four muscle groups. These muscles are the rectus abdominis, transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles. This group of muscles helps to stabilize the trunk, provide organ stability, and assist inflexionand rotation of the trunk.

Strengthening these muscles helps support the body’s frame and may decrease back pain and injuries. By keeping your abdominals strong, you can help support your back and limit the amount of stress placed upon your spine.

If you have back pain, check in with your physical therapist (PT) and learn what you can do tocomprehensively treat your pain. Your PT can help you find the best exercises for you, and he or she can help you attain and maintain ​good posture to keep your spine in its optimal position.

Before starting any exercise program for your back, you must check in with your healthcare provider to ensure that exercise is safe for you to do.

Abdominal Crunches for Your Abdominal MusclesVerywell / Ben GoldsteinAbdominal crunches are a great way to strengthen your core muscles without placing too much stress on your lower back and spine. Here is how you do a proper crunch:Lie on your backBend your knees to a comfortable positionLock your fingers behind your head or cross your arms in front of your chestCurl your head, shoulders, and upper back off the floorKeep your lower back in contact with the floor; you should only rise up a few inchesBreathe out as you riseHold this position for three secondsSlowly return to starting positionRepeat 10 more timesIf you feel any back pain while you are performing the crunch, you must stop and check in with your healthcare provider or physical therapist.

Abdominal Crunches for Your Abdominal Muscles

Verywell / Ben Goldstein

Abdominal crunches are a great way to strengthen your core muscles without placing too much stress on your lower back and spine. Here is how you do a proper crunch:

If you feel any back pain while you are performing the crunch, you must stop and check in with your healthcare provider or physical therapist.

Low Ab Leg RaisesVerywell / Ben GoldsteinThe low abdominal leg raise is a challenging, but effective, way to strengthen your lowerabdominal muscles. Here is how you get it done:Lie on your backBend your knees to a degree that is comfortable for you. The straighter your legs are, the harder the exercise will be.Contract your abdominal muscles to lift your feet off the floor in an arc-like motionLift your feet about 10 inches upSlowly (in the same arc-like motion) return your legs/feet to the floorRepeat 10 more timesBe cautious to avoid any strain to your lower back while performing this exercise. If you do feel pain, stop and check in with your personal healthcare provider.

Low Ab Leg Raises

The low abdominal leg raise is a challenging, but effective, way to strengthen your lowerabdominal muscles. Here is how you get it done:

Be cautious to avoid any strain to your lower back while performing this exercise. If you do feel pain, stop and check in with your personal healthcare provider.

Twisting Sit-Ups

These twisting sit-ups are a great way to get your obliques into the action and working properly. Here is how you do them:

1 SourceVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stuber KJ, Bruno P, Sajko S, Hayden JA.Core stability exercises for low back pain in athletes: A systematic review of the literature.Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2014;24(6):448-456. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000081

1 Source

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Stuber KJ, Bruno P, Sajko S, Hayden JA.Core stability exercises for low back pain in athletes: A systematic review of the literature.Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2014;24(6):448-456. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000081

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Stuber KJ, Bruno P, Sajko S, Hayden JA.Core stability exercises for low back pain in athletes: A systematic review of the literature.Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2014;24(6):448-456. doi:10.1097/JSM.0000000000000081

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