Sit ups a question for those w/ siatica or OA

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

Planks,planks,and planks .... forget those crazy sit ups....they do more harm than good.

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.

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.