Low-back pain? Tune up supporting muscles

If you suffer from low-back pain, the most important thing you can do is consistently perform a safe and effective exercise to strengthen the muscles supporting that area.

-- Karen Voight

Step 1 Begin on all fours, with your hands directly below your shoulders and your knees directly below your hips. Straighten your left leg behind you with your knee and toes facing the floor. Keep your hips and shoulders squarely toward the floor as you slowly raise your right arm to the side at shoulder height. Pause to find your balance, pulling your navel toward your spine, keeping your left shoulder over your left wrist and your elbow straight.

Step 2 Maintain your balance while slowly raising your left leg to hip height. Keep the front of your thigh, knee and toes facing the ground as you slightly lift your inner thigh. Pause for three breaths. Lower your leg and repeat on the other side.

Karen Voight can be reached at kvoightla@aol.com.