The 3 Best Exercises for Back Pain Relief | Stuart McGill, Ph.D.

Peter Attia and Stuart McGill discuss the "McGill Big Three" exercises for core stability. McGill clarifies that these exercises are not universally applicable, emphasizing that an assessment should always precede their recommendation. He explains the concept of proximal stiffness using a backhoe analogy and describes how the Big Three (modified curl-up, side plank, and bird dog) effectively create this stiffness while sparing the spine. McGill details the execution of each exercise, including the use of a "Russian descending pyramid" for side planks, and highlights their ability to create a lasting neural stiffness that can temporarily alleviate pain.