As with many types of back exercises, there are some people who are not good candidates for working with an exercise ball. The ball introduces a significant amount of instability and randomness into what may be familiar floor exercises. While this can be good for working different muscles, it may not be advised in a number of situations, including:
- During the acute (beginning) phase of a low back pain episode
- Patients with specific unstable spine injuries or spinal disease that can be exacerbated by the movements
- Cases where the patient's pain increases when using the ball
- For people who are fearful of falling or who do not feel comfortable on the ball