Transversus abdominis and the importance of lower abdominal muscles in treatment for lower back pain

The transversus abdominis muscle (also known as the transversus abdominus or trans abs for short) has been in the headlines over the last few years because of its role as a core stability abdominal wall muscle in the treatment for lower back pain.

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The transversus muscle is a corset-like abdominal wall muscle that is the deepest (or the furthest in) of the abdominal muscles. It is attached to the body in a few places including the spine, the ribs and the pelvis. It runs in a circular, tube like fashion around the whole of the trunk.

It is one of several abdominal muscles that have a role to play in treatment for lower back pain. These others include the internal and external obliques and also the rectus abdominis.

See illustration below:

About Transversus Abdominis and why it is a perfect 'muscular-corset'

Many people don’t realise that some abdominal wall muscles actually attach at the spine and pelvis and create a tube like support structure for your back. This is why they play an important role in giving your back support and why they have come into such prominence in the treatment for lower back pain.

Commonly people tend to think of abdominal muscles as being the six pack muscles you get when you do a lot of sit ups. Actually, sit ups mostly focus on the rectus abdominis muscles and also to a lesser degree the internal and external obliques.

There are two main types of muscle in the human body, those designed for fast short bursts of activity, the sprinters - examples are your leg muscles, and those designed for longer, endurance work, the marathon runners. The transversus muscle is a marathon runner. It is designed to have long, slow endurance. Exercising this muscle can therefore be a little tricky.

Read more about Transversus Abdominis and spinal anatomy

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23-May-2011