Crunches

These exercises should only be performed after evaluation by a qualified medical professional and under their instruction. Failure to properly ascertain the reasons for certain injuries or the causes of pain may lead to further injury if these exercises are performed.

Should you experience pain or discomfort while doing an exercise, stop immediately. Follow only the exercises that your doctor has recommended to avoid the potential of further injury.

Purpose

To strengthen your abdominal muscles and stabilize low back.

Steps

1. Begin by lying on your back with knees bent, feet on the floor, and your hands resting beneath your head.
2. Slowly curl your upper body toward your knees until your shoulder blades have cleared the floor. Keep your lower back against the floor by tightening your abdomen and buttock muscles.
3. Hold for 5 seconds and then return to starting position.
4. Relax for 5 seconds.

Tips

• Don't pull your head up with your hands.
• It is important to concentrate on feeling the strain in your abdominal muscles and not your neck or back.
• Try looking straight up to keep from pulling forward on your head.