If you sit at a desk, garden or work in a bent position there is a good chance sit ups will increase your chance of back pain.
My simple advice is look at your body movements and if you’re working too much in one direction then change is necessary.
Instead of doing another set of sit ups, roll over and work the opposite muscle group by simply stretching or lifting a leg, providing it’s pain free to do so.
Squeeze your stomach in gently, holding it tight for 15 seconds x 3. Relax and repeat 3 to 4 times daily. This can be done while driving, walking or at work – it should be totally pain free.
Squeezing your buttocks together for a few seconds from time to time when standing up also aids core strength.
Rotate by twisting the middle spine gently while standing to look behind you 4 to 5 times daily. This aids range of motion.
The above advice was published in the Ayreshire Post and written by Andy Callachan. He has run his own injury and exercise clinic in New Road, Ayr, for eight years. He is qualified in physiotherapy, health and fitness, sports therapy, Bowen therapy and personal training and is registered with the Health Professionals Council.
He has been a consultant physiotherapist in professional ice hockey and with premier league football clubs including Kilmarnock, Falkirk and Dundee United.
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