Sit ups a question for those w/ siatica or OA

janice A.
on 12/20/10 12:45 pm - san angelo, TX
I am trying to work on my abdominal muscles but anytime i try doing sit ups well the pain is horrid.
Anyone have any suggestions or something that will do the same w/ out the pain ???

thanks
Janice
 

  long term


SW 303/ lapband/ 244 /335 pre-op/ revision 4/11

    
nate2009
on 12/21/10 7:32 am - Lebanon, OH
Planks,planks,and planks .... forget those crazy sit ups....they do more harm than good.
    No longer about weight , it's all about living.            
Alicia L.
on 12/21/10 10:46 am - Wichita, KS
Planks or isometric muscle holds will work just as well as a sit up.  However, if you can't break your situp habit, try these mods:

1. Use a stability ball.  I have sciatica and the ball will conform to your hips and help support them.

2. Stand, pull your abs in (belly button to spine), and do small crunches while pressing your back against a wall.

These will work your abdominal muscles without straining your neck or shoulders.
    

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Stacy160
on 12/21/10 10:04 pm
Ditto to all of that!

Also, lying on your back and bracing the abdominal muscles (think about drawing your navel back to the floor), you can raise your straight arms up overhead and back down (with or without weight), and slowly lift a leg and extend a knee and bring it back.  The key is making sure you keep the belly tight and do not let it arch at all while you're moving the arms/legs... only go as far as you can before the back starts to shift at all.


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