Bend Towards or Away the Painful Side?
Generally speaking, if your low back pain is focal in nature, with an emphasis of pain on the left side or right side, bending towards the side of pain (angled or lateral bending) works better for most people. It is believed that the pinching action of the vertebrae that occurs with bending pushes disc bulges back towards the center of the disc if you bend towards the painful side. This may make your low back feel a bit sorer, but assess how you feel after doing several repetitions before trying the opposite side. And, realize that it might not apply to your case, so pay close attention to changes in your symptoms as you do these exercises.
NEXT: What if There is No Difference in Pain for All Bending Tests?
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