A healthy body is built by making the right choices at the right time. The bones and discs that form our spine slowly begin to degenerate in our 40s. As the body ages, this process of degeneration increases, causing symptoms such as pain. Pain is a symptom that signifies that something is radically amiss in our spinal cord system.
It is therefore key to strengthen our core muscles that support our spine and protect it from aging prematurely.
Core exercises can help us strengthen these core muscles. These exercises can be done at any age, by everyone.
Back strengthening exercises need to be started by keeping your spine in neutral position. Your lower back should be neither arched nor slouched. This ensures efficient training of core muscles.
Some of the best back strengthening exercises to do after 40 are as follows:
Planks need to be done by raising your body up on forearms and feet for one minute for 2 to 3 times. This engages abdominal muscles maximally.
You can also do a side plank to focus on oblique muscles. These need to be done for one minute for 2 to 3 times.
Bridging helps in strengthening buttock muscles and impact functional activities like walking and standing. Glut bridge is done by lifting buttock muscles, while keeping spine in neutral position. Hold for 10 seconds and repeat 10 times.
On all fours, alternatively raise opposite arm and leg while keeping spine in neutral position. Hold for 10 counts and repeat 10 times. This helps in strengthening abdominal and back muscles.
On all fours (having both knees and hands on the ground), raise bent knee while keeping spine in neutral. Hold for 10 counts and repeat 10 times. This strengthens abdominal and buttock muscles.
Squats help in strengthening buttock and thigh muscles along with abdominal muscles. Squat while keeping back in a neutral position. Do not let your knees cross your toes. Hold for 10 counts and repeat 10 times.
T and Y raise can be done either on a Swiss ball or on all fours. These help in strengthening upper back muscles. Hold for 10 counts and repeat 10 times.
Keeping spine in neutral, raise both legs up. You can support your back by keeping both hands by your side or under your lower back. Hold for 10 counts and repeat 10 times.
(Dr. Shweta Wadhwa is a Spine Specialist at QI Spine Clinic)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)