“Back In Action”: Fitness Expert Andrea Metcalf Shows Exercises to Reduce Back Pain

Fitness expert and NBC5 Fitness Team member Andrea Metcalf explains that the route to a pain-free back is working the core from the inside-out. More than 80% of all Americans experience back pain, which is the number one reason for missing work. Metcalf insists more people need education on ways to strengthen their core.

Because of this, she will share her tips and core strengthening exercises with back pain sufferers in a free clinic on Saturday, May 5, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. at Chicago Institute of Neurosurgery and Neuroresearch clinic located at 565 Lakeview Parkway in Vernon Hills. She will be joined by Dr. Dan Hurley, CINN physiatrist, who will explain the importance of core strengthening from a medical perspective.

“Many people have heard by now that core strengthening is important to relieve back pain“, she says. “However, many people think that means doing hundreds of crunches and ignoring the importance of strengthening the deep transverse muscles that stabilizes the lower back. Much of the results from good back strengthening work cannot be seen from outside the body.”

Some of Metcalf’s quick tips include:

	Sit with your hips higher than your knees
	Remember to breathe deeply into your belly
	Don’t cross your legs while sitting

Metcalf, who founded mbc Fitness in suburban Chicago, appears regularly on NBC5 as part of the morning show fitness team, is a midwest regional aerobics medalist and specializes in “boomer” fitness. Since most back pain sufferers are over 40, Metcalf will be demonstrating ways for boomers to get into good back shape and how to say there.

Metcalf will discuss the physiology of the core in relation to the spine and many of the potential causes of lower back pain, such as a lumbar spine curve, tight hip flexors, tight hamstrings and weak abdominals. Her exercises will include the hip flexor stretch, lumbar stretch, calf stretch, bridge lift, tummy tuck, among others. All are exercises that individuals can perform at home.