Part 2 of 3 Series about Low Back Pain - How Can I Test Myself? - The Physio Revolution

Part 2 of 3 Series about Low Back Pain – How Can I Test Myself?

Brooke Olsen |

How Can I Test Myself?

If you recall from our Part 1 series talk, it was all bout the common WHY of low back pain occurrence.

This talk today is about how you can test yourself when it comes to low back muscle strength.

Why does low back muscle strength matter?

Well, let’s talk about a typical scenario I see from all my patients who come in with low back pain.  Culprit talk of the pain is typically: sitting at a desk, in front of the TV, or in the car TOO LONG.

Can you relate?

Most people tell me that after a certain amount of time, the back just begins to ache or they begin to feel discomfort.

Here’s why…. the sitting posture is not meant for us.  It’s just simply not.  We didn’t evolve as being sitters. We were movers, hunters, gathers. Our bodies are robust and built to keep moving throughout a day.  Not lay dormant.

As we sit, the musculature in our low back region is elongated to a degree, meaning it’s in a concept we like to call CREEP.    No, you are not a creep and the person sitting next to you with back pain is not a creep either!

Creep is a concept of putting a longer time on a tissue and causing it to elongate to a point of discomfort.

Your body alarms you by giving you an “ache” signal telling you ultimately, get up and move!

This is why strength is essential in the back. It can help prevent the ache and allow your spine to feel more comfortable over a longer duration of time.

So, watch the video here for more information on how to assess your low back strength:

So, there you have it. Any easy (but you need to be safe) way to test your own lower back muscle strength and endurance.

If you are having trouble or do not feel safe doing this on your own, please contact a physical therapist provider to help you perform this test and really get solutions to your back pain before it continues to worsen.

Look forward to Part 3 on some exercises that can help reduce low back pain associated with a poor performance of this test.

Talk soon!

To Your Health and Wellness,

Brooke

Brooke Olsen

Brooke Olsen

Co-Founder, Director of Physical Therapy
Brooke is a physical therapist, director of physical therapy, and co-founder at The Physio Revolution. She has worked with professional athletes from Olympic level and recreational weekend warriors to others who are in need of regaining their independence and mobility back in their everyday life. Brooke works extensively with all of the PT’s and spends a vast amount of her time ensuring our treatment plans keep pace with the rapid advancements that make physical therapy so effective and such a ‘go-to’ profession for people aged 45+.
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