Training trunk stability and control is a critical goal with low back pain treatment. Traditional exercises like curl-ups, bird-dogs, and side bridges are a great starting point. But developing strength and control of trunk rotation is also an important (but often overlooked) component of back pain rehabilitation. So in this article I will review a simple […]
Advanced Bird Dog Exercises
The classic Bird Dog exercises are invaluable in the early stages of back pain rehabilitation. But there’s a problem. Many of these classic exercises are not challenging enough to be useful in the later stages of treatment. The basics are simply too basic. One solution is to use the Bird Dog only with more deconditioned […]
Training the Hip Hinge
Excessive lumbar flexion is widely recognized as a common mechanism of lower back injury. As such, minimizing spine flexion in an attempt to reduce tissue stress is a primary objective in the treatment of many back pain patients. And this needs to be done as early as possible in the treatment process. However, most of […]
Advanced Side Bridge Exercises
The Side Bridge is a fundamental exercise for trunk protection and stability. In a previous article I discussed the basic Side Bridge exercise progressions. This progression contained a series of base exercises that are most appropriate in the earlier stages of spine rehab that focused on isolating the lateral trunk muscles. But the Side Bridge […]
The Bridge Test For LPH Dysfunction
The Bridge is a great exercise for the glutes, as well as the spinal stabilizers. But it can also serve as a simple (but very effective) assessment tool for lumbo-pelvic-hip (LPH) stability. In this article I’ll discuss how to use the Bridge as a test for LPH stability, including what to look for and why. […]