Some of the best advice I’ve gotten in my life came from my little brother, Duncan. When I was having trouble with my lower back in my 30’s, I mentioned it to him, because he had suffered back pain already, but seemed to be doing well. He said it was essential to strengthen the muscles of the thighs and the abs, so they do all the work and not the back.

He didn’t have any official training, but his advice was right on the mark. The transverse abdominus is the muscle that fires just before we make any movement. Its sole purpose is to stabilize the back. There are exercises specific to this muscle, but I didn’t know that. I just did a bunch of ab exercises, as well as thigh exercises. Soon I was enjoying that so much that I expanded to a complete body strength workout two to three times a week.

And, amazingly enough, I’ve had very little back trouble since. My doctors and therapists can’t believe it, because my back looks quite bad on xray. But it doesn’t bother me, because it is well supported and protected by my muscles!

So, whether you are having back trouble or not, find some exercises for your abs and do them regularly.