The Best Exercises for the Lower Abs With a Herniated Disk

It's not uncommon to have back pain due to a "herniated" lumbar disk - or a disk that is "slipped," "prolapsed" or "ruptured." The problem can be extremely painful, causing sciatica, tingling and numbness in the legs and throbbing in the lower back. However, it's also not unusual for the problem to cause no symptoms.

Strengthening your lower abs can reduce pain from a herniated disk. (Image: FatCamera/E+/GettyImages)

Spinal disks are the soft, rubbery cushions that provide padding between the vertebrae. Their construction is sometimes compared to a jelly doughnut: A tough exterior encases a softer filling. A disk herniates or ruptures when casing breaks and the filling pushes through the outer wall, pressing on the oh-so-sensitive spinal nerves.

While a herniated lumbar disk may well be the source of your back pain, that call has to be made by a doctor. Sometimes surgery is necessary, but many are able to avoid or reduce symptoms with exercise and strengthening the right muscles. Strengthening the lower portion of the abs is an important part of lower back health, but it's not the whole equation.

If you have a herniated disk, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about a complete regimen of stretching and core-strengthening exercises.

Read more: How to Loosen Up a Tight & Sore Lower Back

Core Exercises for Herniated Disk

A study published in the June 2015 International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine of 63 young male patients with herniated disks found that those who engaged in a 12-week regimen of lumbar spine stabilization exercises (LSSE) reported significantly greater reductions in pain than those who just did general exercise. The LSSE group did curl-ups, pelvic bridges, side bridge alternate arm/leg raises and prone planks.

Good for Abs and Spine

1. Abdominal Draw-In

Include the abdominal draw-in as part of your ab workout with a herniated disk. This exercise engages not just the rectus abdominis, but the internal and external obliques and the transverse abdominis, the deepest of the abdominal muscles. The draw-in, which is specifically recommended for lower back pain, can be done standing or lying prone, but is more effective done while standing.

It's performed by slowly drawing in the lower abdomen and then drawing up the pelvic floor muscle so that it contracts together with the lower abdomen. Breathe normally while doing the exercise. The draw-in, sometimes called the vacuum, involves contraction of the transverse abdominis, which in turn flattens the lower abs.

2. Reverse Curl

While curls are an excellent abdominal exercise for lower back problems in general, they work the upper rectus abdominis more than its lower portion. Reverse curls, however, provide a high level of lower ab engagement.

To do a reverse curl, lie on your back with your arms crossed over your chest. Flex your hips to 45 degrees and your knees to 90 degrees. Raise the lower half of your body, including buttocks if you can, off the floor as far as possible. Return them to the mat to complete one repetition.

3. Plank for Herniated Disk

The plank may be the best exercise for toning your tummy and taking care of your back at the same time. It brings all of the abdominal muscles into play and allows you to put extra emphasis on the lower abs if you're so inclined. Plank is basically the position you're in when you're at the top of a pushup.

Hold it as long as possible, drawing in your stomach and compressing your lower abs. One of the advantages of plank is that it involves little movement while requiring you to contract all layers of your abdominal muscles. When done properly, it engages the deep abdominal muscles, as well as the hip, shoulder and upper-back muscles.

4. Bird Dog

For bird dog, you start on all fours and extend your left leg behind you while extending the right arm in front with your thumb up. Compress your abdominal muscles and hold for 10 to 20 seconds; then repeat on the opposite side. Bird dog stabilizes the lumbar spine, strengthens the core and tones the hip muscles.

Ab Exercises to Avoid

Some exercises should not be included in your ab exercises for a herniated disk:

Situps - They place high compressive force on spinal discs and pressure on the neck that can sprain cervical ligaments and damage discs.

Double Leg Lifts - They hyperextend the lower back by straining your hip flexors. Single leg lifts performed with the opposite knee flexed are recommended as a substitute.

Read more: How to Run after a Herniated Disc