Your core strength is important. Many people have the wrong idea about core stability. Having toned abdominal muscles does not entail core strength. The core is a group of muscles that controls and stabilizes the pelvis and spine. Core strength or stability is the ability to maintain balance and control of the spine and pelvic region during movement. It can help you maintain correct posture and promote flexibility.
Core strength helps prevent overuse injuries and enable you to recover faster from any injuries. In this article, we will discuss why core strength is important and how physiotherapy can help build core stability.
Why is Core Strength Important?
Core strength is less about how you look and more about building a strong base that supports your body. It can help promote easy movements. Having a strong core can make it easy to do movements in daily life like standing up from a chair, sitting comfortably at a desk, exercising, or playing. For athletes it can help with flexibility and reduce the chances of a serious injury.
Here is how your core muscles help you function:
- The transverse abdominal muscle helps stabilize the spine and pelvis.
- The rectus abdominal muscle helps your torso flex forward.
- Oblique muscles control bending sideways, rotation and other movements.
- Pelvic floor muscles provide stability and maintain reproductive health.
- Back muscles provide stability to your spine.
- Diaphragm promotes healthy breathing.
The core contributes a lot in your day-to-day life. It provides stability and makes movements easier.
Benefits of a strong core
Core exercises are a great way to build strong muscles that support your lower back, abdomen, pelvis, and hips.
Here are the benefits of core strength:
- It provides balance and stability, reducing the risk of falls.
- Makes everyday activities like sitting, standing, bending, or lifting effortless.
- It helps improve posture and reduces the risk of injuries due to poor posture.
- Prevents overuse injuries.
- Reduces lower back pain.
Problems Due to a Weak Core
A weak core can make you easily susceptible to overuse injuries or degenerative changes occurring in the spine due to aging. Bones and cartilages are prone to wear and tear. With core exercises you can control and eliminate these symptoms. Having strong and stable postural muscles can help bones move better.
Conditions like Scoliosis and other curving and rotation of the spine can be controlled with postural exercises. A weak and imbalanced core can lead to several problems in the future. Lack of pelvic stabilization can lead to knee pain. Runners can experience neck and back pain if they have a weak core.
Building Core Strength with Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy can prevent injuries as well as recover from injuries. A physiotherapist can help you to build strength in your back, hips, pelvis, torso, and diaphragm. Physiotherapy can help strengthen your body and reduce any pain. There are many core exercises you can find online. However, you need to ensure that you are not doing wrong exercises that could worsen your pre-existing conditions.
That is why physiotherapy is the best way to go. A physiotherapist will conduct a thorough exam before you start physical therapy. They will get to know your medical history, problem areas and any pre-existing condition that is already causing you pain. Based on this a physiotherapist will come up with a customized plan for you. Your physiotherapist will help you perform exercises correctly and recommend the right exercises for you. This also reduces the chances of any injury or pain during or after exercise.
Your physiotherapist may recommend the following to build core stability:
- Recommending exercises like stretching, walking, or swimming.
- Ensuring that you perform exercises correctly.
- Come up with a treatment plan for recovery in case of injury.
- Educate you on building core strength.
- Monitoring your progress.
If you want to build your core strength or suffer from problems due to a weak core, ensure that you see a health professional. Physiotherapy can help you build a strong core with the help of a trained professional. A physiotherapist can also help you with any injuries that you may have and recommend a treatment plan. With a physiotherapist you don’t have to worry about doing any exercises wrong or getting injured. If you are not informed about core stability, a physiotherapist can educate you and also recommend healthy habits for your overall well-being.
You can book a physiotherapy appointment with us here.
