Back Pain Symptoms for Seniors and the Elderly

Curl-Ups

Back pain symptoms can be lessened with a senior and elderly low back stabilization program including curl-ups or “crunches”.

This is the classic sit-up that has been done for years, but modified to lessen the strain on your lumbar spine. Having a strong abdominal musculature is important in adding to your overall lumbar stabilization program at home.

If your symptoms are severe, check with your doctor to be cleared for exercise. Those with pain due to a disk problem will also want to check with your doctor before doing these exercises.

This is because abdominal crunches are a forward flexion movement which increases the force on the disk material.

Purpose of this exercise

Abdominal back pain symptoms exercises help with posture and balance by strengthening your core muscles. Simple things like getting out of bed or up from a chair can become easier when your abdominal muscles are strong.

Step 1

Start on back with knees bent and arms on chest. Tighten abdominal muscles.

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Step 2

Breath in, then exhale as you lift your shoulders off the ground. Pause keeping tummy muscles tight. Return to starting and repeat 10 times

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Breathing

Inhale during the upward movement phase. Exhale during the downward movement phase.

Tips

Keep breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth. Protect your back by keeping it pressed to the floor. By placing your hands behind your head, you can give your neck extra support avoiding pain.Don’t lift too high.

Take it up a notch

Perform diagonal curl-ups by directing your elbows to the opposite knee and work on the sides of your abdomen.

How to perform Curl-Ups

How to perform Curl-Ups

More Back and Trunk Exercises

1. Eccentric Straight Leg Raise

2. Bent Knee Raise

3. Curl Ups

4. Cat and Camel

5. Back Extension

6. Leg Extensions

7. Bridging

8. Pelvic Tilt

9. Sit Backs

10. Arm Raises On Back

11. Arm Raises On Knees

12. Hip Flexion

Resources Stay Independent
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI-Brochure-StayIndependent-508.pdf