Myth
Planks will not save your back
More core strength is not what a compressed spine is asking for.
Why people believe it
Every fitness feed says a strong core fixes back pain, so planks became the default cure. Strength feels like the responsible answer.
What is actually true
Most desk-driven back pain is a compression and stiffness problem, not a weakness problem. Planking a stiff, loaded spine adds tension on top of tension. You can be strong and still ache, because the load never left the discs and deep muscles.
What to do instead
First make space, then build strength on top of it. Gentle suspended decompression lets the spine lengthen and the deep muscles let go; back pain usually eases over 4 to 6 sessions. Once the area is free, strength work finally lands on a spine that can use it.
Feel it for yourself at a Gravity Stretching studio
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