Page 50 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine
P. 50
HEALTH & FITNESS WHAT IS YOUR
CORE?
A ccording to labor statistics there are happens throughout the core when we function
by Paula Allia at least a million back injuries per normally. The unfortunate reality is that when
PT, DHSc, MTC, OCS year in the work force. This is not to a low back pain patient is tested, research has
mention the back injuries sustained found that this muscle is either delayed or not
“The core of the in sports or other activities of daily living. firing in the desired fashion. Thus, movement
body actually How can one help to protect the back from impairments occur and possible more stress
refers to the injury and keep the back strong and stable? is actually applied to the extremities and the
multiple groups actual bony structures in the spine and pelvis.
of muscles that The spine can have many types of injuries Over time, these movement impairments
are in the trunk and it is common by the age of 30-40 everyone become what we know as normal to us. If you
all the way down has felt some type of strain in the back. It is overuse these movement impairments then the
through the also not uncommon for someone else who body can break down and pain can ensue.
”pelvis and hip has had a back injury to tell you just HOW
region. to treat YOUR back pain. Beware that no two Excessive sitting can cause shortening of
back injuries are exactly the same. We all have the muscles on the front of your trunk and hip
Fitness Together different body builds and postures that over allowing these muscles to tighten. The muscles
335 14th Ave South time can affect your back so use caution. Also, that are stretched on the backside then get
Naples, FL 34102 take note of when you may experience back weak and other muscles have to fire more to
239.263.9348 pain try and find the cause. Do not just treat compensate for these weaknesses. In addition,
the pain because if the cause was not addressed if a muscle then gets tight, the muscles that
FitnessTogether.com/Naples the pain will come back some day and it may perform the opposite movement may have a
be too late to reverse the cause. Our bodies are higher resistance against it to contract and this
amazing machines but resolving the cause will can cause strain or overuse over time.
avoid all of the substitutions and adjustments
your body will make to try and work around As mentioned previously, we have many
your dysfunction. muscles that comprise the core. The key is to
strike a balance between flexibility and strength
One of the most important things that one so that these muscles have the ability to work
can do for oneself is to develop a stable core. efficiently. The extensor muscles of the body if
When I have asked people what the core is, stretched for prolonged periods may develop
most think that it consists of just the abdominal weaknesses.Initially you may have to cognitively
muscles. The core of the body actually refers to think about these muscles to activate them
the multiple groups of muscles that are in the and create a mind-body connection. One may
trunk all the way down through the pelvis and strengthen muscles isometrically first or put
hip region. These muscles provide a stable core; them in a shortened range to activate and then
this creates a platform on which our extremities work into longer and more flexible ranges to
can function more efficiently. strengthen through the entire range of motion.
When these muscles are strengthened they
My analogy is that if you have a weak tree do not automatically fire when needed. These
trunk then the branches do not survive very muscles need to be activated in movement
well. Consider this when you are thinking of patterns similar to the way we use our body.
the body.
Do not neglect your core! The stability in
It is not uncommon that when you go to use this region is responsible for our posturing,
your arms that the transverse abdominus, a very stability, and balance control.
important muscle in your abdominal area will
contract to assist in stabilizing the spine in order Here’s to your health!
to allow quality functional motions to occur in For further information you may call Paula
our extremities while supporting the spine. This at 239.263.9348 or email paulaallia@mac.com.
50 Life in Naples | April 2015
