Improving Core Strength

Core strength is essential for stabilizing your spine through all the different movements you perform. Theoretically, if these muscles are weak or de-conditioned it can cause you to rely on more passive structures for spine stabilization. These structures would be ligaments, joints, or discs in your spine. 

Sometimes when an individual experiences low back pain they think of the “load that broke them.” However, it should be interpreted more so as “the load they weren't prepared for.” Your deep core muscles help to stabilize the spine throughout different scenarios when your spine gets loaded in different directions.  

When people think of core muscles they think about your six-pack ab muscles.  When in fact there are several other core muscles that run from your spine all the way around to your belly.  When conditioned correctly these muscles help to support your spine and keep your hips moving with your spine to help prevent injury. After a proper diagnosis from our office, we would be able to prescribe you the correct spine sparing core stabilization exercises. It’s important to work more than just those front ab muscles that give you a six-pack. 

Actually, the aim of these exercises isn’t to make the muscles bigger either. They’re aimed at improving the stamina and overall strength of these muscles.  These exercises put you in the proper position to not cause a spinal injury as we are strengthening the area. The classic sit up and ab crunches aren’t the best core exercises, in fact, I think they bring more people to chiropractic offices than they keep away.  

Lastly, many patients think they need to wear a back brace to prevent injury to the low back. Your core muscles are the back brace you were born with. They act as the brace for every dynamic movement that your body goes through. Working them, keeping them strong, and ready will help aid the recovery process and prevent future injuries from occurring.