Chosing the right kind of ab exercises for spondylolisthesis is a vital part to a proper recovery. A large number of people diagnosed with spondylolisthesis or spondylolysis are instructed to strengthen their core. The immediate reaction is to rush home and perform thousands of sit ups. But this approach could lead to additional harm to the spine.
Why Crunches Are Hard On Your Spine
The June 9th, 2009 issue of Newsweek published an article titled, "Stop doing sit ups: Why crunches don't work." This article referred to the findings of Stuart McGill, a professor of spine bio mechanics. Dr. McGill's studies found that the excessive and repetitive bending and flexing motion of the spine can lead to disc bulges and even herniation. Dr. McGill's study reveled that a full crunch can put as much as 730 lbs of compression on the spine!
