If you suffer from chronic back pain in Pittsburgh, you have probably tried a large number of methods to help reduce the pain. No one wants to walk around with constant pain permeating their body. Back pain can often be more than a simple annoyance. It can leave you incapable of performing normal tasks, and, in severe cases, can prevent you from even being able to comfortably walk. If you suffer from chronic back pain the first thing you should do is visit our office for a consultation. We can assist in finding the right set of solutions for your particular needs through a combination of chiropractic adjustments, massage therapy, and exercises. We take a holistic approach to back health at our Pittsburgh chiropractic office. Our goal is for you to not simply feel good for a day or two, but for you to gain control over chronic pain.

Did you know that one of the most important things you can do for your chronic back pain is to exercise and strengthen your body’s muscles? Read on to learn how strengthening your core can actually help to reduce chronic back pain.

The Problem With Weak Muscles

Although you may not associate your abdominal muscles with your back, the two are closely linked. Your core is actually the front anchor of your spine. It is responsible for keeping your spine aligned properly. When your abdominal muscles are weak, you can wind up at a higher risk for injury, and you will not provide your spine with the day-to-day support needed. When your core muscles are not capable of doing their job, your back muscles will try to compensate. When your back muscles try to take on the full task of supporting your spine, you can wind up injuring or straining those back muscles. This weakness in your core can actually cause you to suffer from chronic back pain.

Here at Morreale Chiropractic we are dedicated to helping our clients address the overall cause for their back pain. We pair our chiropractic services with physical therapy and massage therapy to garner the best results possible. When you come to visit us we can assess your back pain and help you determine the very best core exercises to help strengthen those muscles.

Simple Recommended Core Strengthening Exercises

If you want to strengthen your core, here are a couple easy recommended exercises to try. Remember, you should discuss any new exercise regime with your doctor, and if things don’t feel right during core strengthening, stop what you are doing and talk to one of our doctors. We can help you build the right set of exercises for your particular back pain needs.

Classic Crunches: Almost everyone has performed this classic exercise. Abdominal crunches are an excellent way to strengthen your core muscles, and they are easy to enact even in the comfort of your own home. Lie flat on your back and bend your knees, keeping your feet flat on the floor. Keep your feet about hip length apart. Put both of your hands behind your head. With your elbows wide, use your abdominal muscles to slowly raise your neck and upper back off the floor. Lower back to the floor and repeat. Be careful when doing this to ensure you are not using your neck muscles to lift your back off the floor. The focus should be on your abs.

Push-ups: Another classic exercise, push-ups strengthen your core and arms at the same time. Start on the floor, flat on your stomach and ensure your body is in a straight line. Next place your hands on the floor, a little wider than shoulder width apart. Lift up your body so you are resting on your hands and your toes. Make sure you keep your back straight and slowly lower your body to the floor by bending your elbows. Once you reach a 90 degree angle with your elbows, push yourself back up using the strength of your arms, upper back, and chest. Repeat to your comfort level.

These two common exercises can help you strengthen your core. For more specific exercises targeting your particular needs, please come visit our chiropractic office. We will help you diagnose the specific reason you are suffering from back pain and we will put together a game plan for your overall health. Through a combination of chiropractic adjustments, physical therapy, exercises, and even massage therapy, we can help you take control of your back pain.