Top 2 Core Exercises for Disc Herniation & Sciatica (STOP Doing Crunches!) episode artwork

EPISODE · May 22, 2026 · 8 MIN

Top 2 Core Exercises for Disc Herniation & Sciatica (STOP Doing Crunches!)

from Low Back Pain Podcast · host Dr. Grant Elliott

Learn how to fix your pain with our “Centralization Process” here! https://rebrand.ly/ytpainfreeSubmit an application to work with us 1:1 and learn how to fix your low back! ⁠www.therehabfix.com/low-back-program⁠To view hundreds of free low back videos please follow us on instagram at @rehabfix ⁠www.instagram.com/rehabfix⁠If your back pain gets worse when sitting, bending forward, or doing ab workouts… your “core routine” could actually be making your disc pain worse.Most people with low back pain, disc herniation, or sciatica are told to “strengthen their core” with crunches, sit-ups, and Russian twists. But those exercises repeatedly flex the spine, increasing pressure on sensitive discs and nerves without even realizing it.In this episode, I’ll break down why certain core exercises can aggravate low back pain, what’s actually happening inside your spine during flexion-based ab training, and show you safer core exercises that build stability WITHOUT irritating your discs.You’ll learn:🔷 Why crunches and sit-ups can flare up disc herniation & sciatica🔷 The truth about “weak core = back pain”🔷 How spinal flexion increases disc pressure🔷 Why your back hurts more sitting and bending forward🔷 The difference between moving your spine vs stabilizing it🔷 2 low back friendly core exercises that protect your discs🔷 How to strengthen your abs without making your back pain worse🔷 Why anti-rotation and spine stability training matters🔷 How to reduce pressure on irritated spinal discs and nervesInstead of repeatedly irritating your spine with the wrong exercises, you’ll learn how to train your core in a way that supports healing, improves spinal stability, and helps you safely return to lifting, running, sports, and normal life again.If you’ve been told your core is weak, your sit-ups hurt your back, or your sciatica keeps flaring up no matter how much ab work you do… this episode is for you.📲 Work With Me✅ Text “PAIN” to +1 (317) 751-9509 to get my FREE Back Pain Fix Demo👉 Apply for my 1:1 Online Low Back Program: www.therehabfix.com/low-back-program📸 Follow @rehabfix on Instagram for daily low back pain & sciatica rehab content:www.instagram.com/rehabfix⏱ Chapters00:00 – Why Core Exercises May Be Making Your Back Pain Worse00:38 – The Biggest Myth About Core Strength & Low Back Pain01:22 – Why Crunches & Sit-Ups Increase Disc Pressure02:10 – How Disc Herniations & Sciatica Get Irritated02:50 – Exercise #1: Reverse Crunch for Disc-Friendly Core Strength04:35 – Exercise #2: Anti-Rotation Core Stability Exercise05:48 – Why Core Strength Alone Won’t Fix Your Disc Herniation06:45 – How the Centralization Process Helps Fix Back Pain Fast🔑 Keywords That May Have Brought You Here:Core exercises for low back pain,Core exercises for disc herniation,Core workout for sciatica,Why crunches hurt my back,Stop doing crunches for back pain,Ab exercises causing back pain,Disc herniation exercises,Sciatica relief exercises,Core stability for low back pain,Anti-rotation exercises for sciatica,Exercises to avoid with disc bulge,Low back friendly ab exercises,McGill core exercises,How to strengthen core without hurting back,Best exercises for disc herniation,Why sit-ups cause back pain,Back pain when sitting,Sciatica pain relief exercises,Fix disc bulge naturally,RehabFix core exercises,Dr Grant Elliott RehabFix,Low back pain rehab,Disc bulge recovery exercises,Core exercises without spinal flexion,Safe core training for herniated disc#️⃣ Hashtags#LowBackPain #SciaticaRelief #DiscHerniation #BackPainExercises #CoreWorkout #Sciatica #BackPainRelief #SpinalHealth #RehabFix #MobilityTraining

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Top 2 Core Exercises for Disc Herniation & Sciatica (STOP Doing Crunches!)

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