Core Stability 101 For Beginners For Back Pain Relief | Herniated Disc + Post-Fusion Friendly

Meet Sarah, a vibrant individual whose life took an unexpected turn due to chronic back pain. Frustrated with the limitations imposed by her discomfort, she started experimenting with random core exercises she found online and saw people doing in the gym.

What started as a glimmer of hope ended in a massive 3-week long flare-up that felt like it would never end. 

Sarah isn’t broken or fragile. She just didn’t pick the right exercises for where her current sensitivity levels were at.

I want to show you how to not make that same mistake!

Today, I’ll unravel the importance of a neutral spine approach, steering clear of traditional exercises like sit-ups and crunches to pave the way for a resilient back.

Why Are Beginner Level Exercises So Important For Chronic Back Pain?

Chronic back pain can often be worsened by an imbalance or weakness in the core muscles.

Unfortunately, most back pain sufferers are told their cores are weak and dive into using exercises that will only do more harm than good. 

Core Exercises are not the CURE for back pain, but they will significantly help in your journey of treating the whole body for lasting back pain relief.

It’s important to start small to both keep the CNS calm but also learn your baseline level of sensitivity. Right now, you need to respect your pain tolerance, and beginner-level core exercises are perfect for getting to know this process safely.

Core Training 101 For Back Pain Relief: Rules To Live By

Neutral Spine Focus:


According to studies by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), maintaining a neutral spine during exercises is crucial for preventing unnecessary strain on the back.

Beginner core exercises emphasize this alignment, promoting a stable foundation for overall back health.

This is an important early strategy for very sensitive lowbacks. As you progress, get stronger, and reduce pain, you can start working in more “fee movement,” which involves spinal flexion and twisting, but ONLY when your tolerance level allows it.

Exclusion of Sit-ups and Crunches:


Research published in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy suggests that traditional exercises like sit-ups and crunches can contribute to increased pressure on the spine.

Our beginner-level core routine omits these movements, offering a safer alternative for individuals seeking relief from chronic back pain.

This is especially important in the early stages of chronic back pain relief. We want to limit the “scab picking” of your injury while at the same time creating safety around movement and strength training. 

Twist-Free Zone:


The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke highlights the risks associated with twisting movements for individuals with back pain.

Our beginner core stability approach focuses on exercises that avoid twisting and safeguarding your spine while still activating essential core muscles.

Again, this follows the early stages of pain relief. We want to keep the area stable and safe and increase difficulty over time. 

BONUS: Beginner Core Strength Workout Safe For Chronic Back Pain

Perform each exercise for 10-15 repetitions or as tolerated, focusing on quality over quantity. Consistency is key, so aim for 2-3 sets of the entire routine.

Pelvic Tilts:

Lie on your back with knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
Inhale, then exhale as you gently tilt your pelvis upward, engaging your core.

Hold for a moment, then lower your pelvis back down.
Repeat for 10-15 reps.

Deep Exhales:

Lie on your back or on your knees standing up, Take a few deep breaths in, then, while piercing your lips, exhale all of your breath out of your lungs. 

While doing that, create a brace in the core and draw the belly button back towards your spine without sucking your tummy in. 

Relax and take 2 deep breaths before doing it again.

Repeat for 10 reps

Stability Ball Opposition Crunch:

Start on your back with your hands and knees holding a ball over your torso. 

Take a deep breath in and while blowing your air out of your lungs through pierced lips push the ball towards your knees and your knees towards your hands. 

This should create tension in the middle where the ball is being help. 

While exhaling do a small crunch up towards the ball and hold until the exhale is complete. 

Rest and take a few deep breaths before doing it again.

Repeat for 10 exhales.