Whenever I see an exercise show on TV it’s always the same pattern: warm-up, stretching, aerobics, cool down. Now it’s all about the core program. There’s another 10 minutes for that. Does it really matter what order I do these exercises in? I do have chronic low back pain?

There is strong data to support the importance of exercise in the treatment of low back pain. But whether it should be aerobics, strength training, or coordination exercises remains unknown.

The new core-training program is used to strengthen the muscles that stabilize the spine. Core training is being studied with varied results so far.

Researchers haven’t been able to show whether one exercise, a specific order of exercises, or a combination of exercises makes the difference. In studies comparing groups of back pain patients doing different exercise programs, everyone gets better.

So for now it looks like a consistent program of exercise three to five times a week for 30 minutes to an hour is helpful–no matter what you do or how you do it!