11/09/2022
“Should I Tighten my Core 24/7?”
Does your back constantly feel vulnerable to injury? Do you feel that you are one wrong move away from a flare up of lower back pain? Unfortunately, many folks feel this way and feel that they need to constantly keep their "core" tight with every activity they do, all day long. Let me explain to you why this is not ideal.
How many 8 year olds have you seen who keep their abdominal muscles tight all day long? They play in the yard, bending, running, climbing, etc for hours without consciously tightening their abdominals. Why? Because their "core" works automatically to keep the spine safe, the way it was designed to function. No extra effort required!
Your "six pack" muscles are not your core. Therefore, constantly tightening this muscle will not protect your spine. Your "core' is a group of very deep muscles, the job of which is to contract automatically to protect your spine as you perform your daily activities.
Unfortunately as you accumulate injuries (falls on tailbone, car accidents, sports mis-haps, etc), your core muscles shut down, or "hibernate” as a result of those injuries. Essentially your subconscious brain tries to distance itself from the injured body part, leaving this area vulnerable to re-injury, if not treated appropriately.
Fortunately, these core muscles can be "woken up" from this state of hibernation with appropriate hands-on treatment and specialized exercise. These usually involve prolonged isometric holds, assisted by the PT giving specific resistance. These are progressed to exercise that the patient can then do at home.
Correct posture also dramatically improves core strength. Instantly. Ask me and I'll show you. Improving long-lost mobility of your hips and spine through appropriate hands on treatment also improves your core strength. I see it every day.
Tightening your abdominals all day long is at best a compensation for lacking actual, automatic core strength. Having a body that moves efficiently and with optimal, automatic core function and no back pain is the goal. Let me know if you need help with this!
Mike
5272 Robert J. Matthews Parkway
Suite 200
El dorado Hills CA 95762
USA
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