Hello

I was operated almost 3 years ago on a double hernia in my lower back. My back still causes me a lot of pain due to scartissue so I am still very limited to what I can do.
But...I would like to train my abs.
I life next to a highway and there is no swimmingpool in the area so I can't train myself by swimming or walking. Ok, even swimming causes me a lot of pain so that wouldn't have been a option anyway. And because I live in a very small house I don't have a place to put a treadmill.
I do have a recumbent bike in the house, which I use 30 mins a day to keep myself fit without hurting myself, but it doesn't do anything for my abs. I always used to do the regular exercises to keep my belly flat but I can't do those anymore.
I've been looking on the internet for exercises I might do but I know that they'd cause me a lot of pain and would be bad for my back.

Does anybody know any exercises I might do, without hurting my back, so I can get my flat belly back?

Thank you

Regards Chiara

I'd call up a physical therapist and ask what sort of things you should be doing to decrease the pain. S/he can give you guidelines. That way you have something to work with.

I have a client that has severe back issues. He cannot do anything that requires him to bend back or forward. So he does a lot of squats/lunges/ calf raises/ biceps/triceps/shoulders/chest/back... and for abs he does ball crunches or plank pose.

It will depend on you though. Wish I could provide more info. Also remember abs are not a direct result of ab exercises. Abs are mostly from diet, genetics and overall body fat loss.

So eat well, workout (cardio AND strength training), rest 1-2 days per week and drink lots of water. My main site has exercises and tips that may help you.

Thank you for the reply.

The thing is : they've given up on me. I used to go to a painclinic but I can't stand the painkillers, they all make me dizzy, TENS isn't working either, they even tried paralyzing the nerves. The only other thing open to me now is cutting the nerves... So I guess that I'll just have to live with it.

I do some stretching exercises daily but those are just to losen up my back.

I used to go to the fitness but where I live now there isn't one within a 1 hour drive and a 1 hour drive is to long for my back, especially if I want to work out.
That's why I'm stuck at home and was hoping to be able to do something there.

Regards Chiara

There are all sorts of things you can do at home. I work out from home and have nothing more than dumbbells and a stability ball. That's about it.

I just think with your back issues the best thing to do is speak to someone more specialized in that area. I'd hate to see you have an injury on top of all your current pain.

I was actually hoping to find a answer here, since the physical therapist I used to go to didn't know any good exercises and there isn't anybody else in my area whom I could ask.

Regards Chiara

I'd be VERY leary of anyone willing to give advice here or any online forum. For your pain and condition... any advice given could potentially harm you. We have no way of assessing your current range of motion, currrent trauma, current abilities, etc.

These are just my opinions.

I can understand that but I do know my limits (found those out the hard way) and I wouldn't know where else to turn too to be honest.
I am 6000 miles from home and the docters and therapists I have seen didn't have any answer I could work with. Even the gym I used to go to for recovery didn't get any further then advising me to walk and swim and try doing situps if it didn't hurt.... Situps are about the worst thing people with my condition can do, so I've never understood that one.

Regards Chiara

I'm training someone with a very bad back. And I'm looking for similar answers

Hi Chiara,
I'm not sure about your total range of motion but I found some great ab exercises earlier that I think might work for you. I hope it's helpful and good luck! tinyurl.com/ktbux3