Physical therapy exercises for back and abdominal strength?

my father has severe lower back pain. the doctor suggested Physical therapy 3 times a week for a month at 100 dollars per session.
He has gone to a PT b4 and they just give a pamphlet and make you do it at home mostly. for that $$$ its ridiculous.

What are some exercises he can do for lower back and abdominal strength?

He has a very large belly, and emphysema. It is very difficult for him to stand for long periods of time or even short periods of time without sever lower back pain.

Can you help us save $$$ and suggest some safe exercises?

my dad is 68. He has emphysema. he weight about 265. he had surgery for Acute Aortic Aneurism about 2 years ago. he also had ball joint replacement hip surgery about 15 years ago.
According to the doctor, the reason he needs the physical therapy is because, as my dad puts it in laymans terms "the skwishy fluid bits inbtwn the discs in my back are oozing out". haha.. if that helps any...

Is ridiculous how expensive these treatments can be and then have you do them at home.
First of all how old is your dad? depending on how old is he, i can help you with this, but you dont want to make him do more than he can and make him feel worse.
About putting weights on his ankles?? no way....we dont know if hes capable of holding up that much weight, specially lifting them up...no way!!! heres a site that you can use and he can do them at home and not pay...but he needs to keep the routine, for what ever they told him at rehab.
Heres this site, go through all of them and see whats good for him, again dont make him do something thats going to make him feel worse...slowly at his own pace.
At home he can continue putting heating packs, and if he has a tens unit he can put them both together before exercising. If by any chance he doesnt have a tens unit, ask your Dr. to give you a prescription for it and you can buy one too...is not as strong as the one we use at rehab but is good enough.
Good luck and i hope he feels better ^i^

The PT is not just about doing rote exercises. He at least needs to be evaled so you do not do any more damage to his spine. Nobody should recommend any exercises or weights without looking at him and his med history. Report It

"the skwishy fluid bits inbtwn the discs in my back are oozing out".this statement concerns me. Report It

:) Report It

while hes lying down have him raise and bending knee towards chest with you holding his leg.i have same prob.107$ for my session.heating pad and then cold ice pack aternate every 15 minutes.while he is sitting wrap those weight straps 10pds each let him work on each leg by lifting knee as high as he is able too.the more you strengthen the legs the better the back will feel.i too need to lose the belly it doesnt help good luck