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Getting to the CORE of the Problem
Author : Meryl Da Costa, Registered Physiotherapist, Clinic Manager Category : Exercise and Fitness
If you have been to the gym or Physiotherapy or watched T.V. in the last few years you will have heard about “core exercises”. You may have also found yourself engaged in a conversation about the “core”.
But do you have a good understanding of what the core is?
The core refers to the area that surrounds the back, abdominal and hip region. There are two groups of musculature: The inner core and the outer core.
The inner core musculature consists of the following:
1. Transverse Abdominus: This abdominal muscle is found deep to the rectus abdominus (the 6 pack abdominal). Its function is to contract in anticipation of body movement and to protect the vertebra, discs and joints
2. Multifidus: This muscle lies directly along the spine and connects individual vertebra together. It helps to provide the spine with stability when it moves.
3. Pelvic Floor: These muscles help to stabilize the spine too
4. Diaphragm: This is the large breathing muscle whose fibres blend into the transverse abdominus.
The outer core musculature includes:
1. The Gluteal Muscles
2. Oblique Abdominals
3. Hip Adductor and Abductor
4. Latissimus Dorsi:
The core muscles are important because they allow your body to move efficiently. When operating properly a strong core helps to keep your spine stable while your limbs are in motion. With injury to the spine, the core musculature tends to become inhibited and some of the other global muscles that should not help you move tend to activate to move your spine. This leads to pain, inefficient movement, decreased range of motion, flexibility and strength.
With any injury it is important that you learn how to activate the core musculature properly. Once you can properly initiate the core then more demanding and functional exercises can be progressed to
