Testing Your Back Pain with Lumbar Flexion and Extension Moves

1. WARNING:  If your low back pain is acute/recent injury, flexion may make it worse, so refrain from doing it.  If your low back pain is chronic, you can test if flexion improves it.  Do ten repetitions of lumbar flexion, and note any changes. Did that movement produce any positive changes?

2. Now do ten repetitions of lumbar extension, and note any changes; compare to how you felt after flexion.

IN MOST CASES, EXTENSION WILL BE THE APPROPRIATE CORRECTIVE EXERCISE FOR LOW BACK PAIN.  This is due to the architecture of your lumbar spine and discs.  Lumbar extension has the effect of pushing bulging disc material forward and relaxing strained spinal ligaments.

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