I see a lot of posts about back exercises, I would just like to add that ab exercises are JUST as important in preventing back pain. Your trunk muscles play a h

I see a lot of posts about back exercises, I would just like to add that ab exercises are JUST as important in preventing back pain. Your trunk muscles play a huge role in supporting your spine. A strong core pulls your spine and pelvis into a more optimal angle for weight bearing. A weak core will produce a bad angle in your lumbar region (which can compress the nerves exiting the spinal tract in a number of ways). http://www.somastruct.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/anterior-pelvic-tilt.jpg http://www.somastruct.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/anterio... Experience: athlete + med student Personal anecdote: Used to skip ab exercises during lifting. Had lower back pain during football. Decided to stop skipping ab exercises. Lower back pain disappeared.