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Writer's pictureGraham Kavanagh

Low back pain... and the "clamshell exercise".

Updated: Oct 3



This post is the first in a series of videos on "suggestive low back pain exercises". By suggestive these are by no means a fix for low back pain, nor suitable for everyone and the first stage is always an assessment and that can never be replaced.


Generic videos are just that. Generic but may be useful in relation to low back pain.


The clamshell exercise begins by lying on your side with the knees bent and the hips remaining vertical from the floor. The lower arm can be used as a support to the head to help body alignment preventing awkward angles. For many this exercise is far too easy and provides little benefit in strength or stabilisation.


For others, with more serious levels of low back discomfort it may be beneficial and the early stages of building a foundation to work from. There is very little pressure on the lower back here but remember the aim is increased strength and stabilisation of the "core" or midsection.


The glutes are the focus here which form part of the musculature that provide spinal stability..... and are large muscles. It must be remembered however that successful progress with low back pain involves a bigger picture approach. This includes lifestyle modifications in most cases (to recognise aggravations or causes), and involves an appropriate exercise program involving more than just one exercise.


Another point to note is that not everybody has the physical ability required to perform an exercise to its full potential and there is commonly limitations or othere areas to be worked on in freeing restrictions.. hence specialist instruction for low back pain following a screening process.














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