Small, deep muscles help prevent back pain

THE HINDU
Mo. sep 13, 2010
Medicine & Research

Strong, well developed muscles alone will not prevent back pain. What a healthy back needs are muscles that are capable of positioning and securing the spinal column, according to Professor Ingo Froboese from the Centre for Health at the German Sport High School in Cologne.
The human body has about 640 muscles, of which 150 are directly linked to the spinal column.
“The most important muscles for a healthy spinal column and back are not just the large muscles visible on the outside, but also the tiny muscles deep inside the body located directly beside the vertebrae,” says Mr. Froboese.
These so-called deep back muscles run parallel or diagonally to the individual vertebra. Their task is to move, guide and secure the spinal column.
“They don’t need to be especially strong. Their strength lies in their ability to finely coordinate their work.” They are trained through small rotating movements that cause involuntary tension in the muscles.