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A 35-year-old member asked:

How do you exercise your lower back without straining your spinal cord?

3 doctor answers4 doctors weighed in
Dr. Dennis Giannini
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 38 years experience
Pilates or aqua exer: Pilates puts emphasis on spinal and pelvic alignment, breathing, and developing a strong core or center, and improving coordination and balance. Or aquatic exercise. We are about 80% lighter standing in chest deep water due to buoyancy. This will make exercising easier. If you have a spinal cord injury, check with your doctor first.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Stuart Rice
36 years experience
Easily: Your spinal cord actually ends between the 1st and 2nd lumbar vertebrae. In other words, slightly below the belly button. The spinal cord since most of the motion in the low back is from lower segments the spinal cord is at low risk. Spinal cord injury occurs almost exclusively with trauma and not with routine or even vigorous exercise.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
Dr. Philip Chao
Radiology 40 years experience
Use the web: And look up low back exercises. None of these are likely to put significant pressure on your spinal cord.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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Last updated Dec 10, 2013

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