When you injure your back people will often tell you that you have to strengthen your abdominal or “core” muscles. If this is not explained correctly you might think that you need to strengthen your stomach muscles by performing sit-ups.

Sit-ups will strengthen your abdominals but it is likely they will increase your pain significantly. What we really mean is that you need to increase your Transverse Abdominus muscle strength. This is a deep abdominal muscle that directly supports your lumbar spine.

People with lower back pain can have very weak transverse abdominous muscles, which means there is a lack of support and stability of the spine when completing everyday activities such as lifting, as well as playing sport. The transverse abdominus muscles are initially difficult to exercise, you will need some instruction from your physiotherapist.