In one study following core strength and flexibility, firefighters who focused on improving their core and trunk’s strength and mobility through a training program found the following over a 12-month period:
- Sixty-two percent reduced lost time due to injuries.
- There was a 42-percent reduction in the total number of injuries.
Core strength matters. It not only helps prevent injuries but can decrease the amount of time it takes to recover from injuries when they happen.
Here’s what you need to know about core strength and why it’s so important to work with a physical therapist to build strength.
Why Core Strength Is Crucial to Your Wellness
Why is it so important to bolster your core strength? Strengthening your core isn’t about a flat stomach or six-pack abs—it’s about so much more than how you look. Your core muscles are the base of support for your entire body.
Your core is made up of a series of muscles that help you with everything you do, from turning to look behind you to bending down to put shoes on, sitting up straight in a chair and doing yard work.
How do your core muscles help you function?
- Your transverse abdominis stabilizes the spine and the pelvis.
- Your oblique muscles control side bending, rotation and other movements of the spine.
- Your rectus abdominis helps your torso flex forward.
- Your pelvic floor muscles provide stability, improve reproductive health and can prevent incontinence.
- Your back muscles stabilize your spine.
- Your diaphragm aids in healthy breathing.
Your core is responsible for so much of what we do every day, and having a strong core is essential for healthy movement.
The Real-Life Benefits of Strengthening Your Core
Besides being part of a well-rounded fitness program that supports your health, a strong core has many additional benefits. Core exercises are a great way to train the muscles in your pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen to work together.
Here are some of the major reasons to strengthen your core:
- It aids in balance and stability and potentially prevents falls.
- It makes it easier to do everyday activities like lifting, twisting and standing.
- It can help alleviate lower back pain.
- It improves your posture.
- It can help prevent overuse injuries.
The Problem With a Weak Core
Throughout our lives, our core strength is key to injury prevention. As we get older, our bodies begin to degenerate, and bones and cartilage can experience wear and tear—without the proper core strengthening, that is. That’s why physical therapy for seniors is so crucial to staying healthy, preventing falls, and improving coordination and endurance.
Strong postural muscles help suspend the bones so they can move better. Scoliosis and other curving and rotation of the spine can be controlled with postural exercises. Knee pain can be alleviated with stronger pelvic stabilization. Runners can help prevent back and neck pain through the strengthening of their core, which acts as a kind of shock absorber.
Building Your Core Strength Through Physical Therapy
Whether you are recovering from an injury or looking to gain strength to prevent injury or alleviate pain, a physical therapist can help you build up strength in your pelvis, hips, back, diaphragm and midsection.
You don’t have to search for more than a few seconds to discover that the internet is full of exercises to strengthen your core, care for the health of your spine and build muscle in the pelvic floor. But each patient’s needs are very different, and doing too much too soon or doing the wrong exercises for those with pre-existing conditions or spinal issues can lead to injuries, more pain, and a worsened condition.
However, when you work with a physical therapist, they will work closely with you to determine the best course of action to bolster the strength of your core muscles given your specific needs. A physical therapist will help you work with the right exercises and at a rate that doesn’t put you at risk of injury.
A physiotherapist will help strengthen your core by:
- Prescribing exercises like walking, swimming and stretching.
- Supervise your sessions to ensure you are doing every prescribed exercise correctly.
- Keep you motivated to make timely progress.
- Suggest activities to aid in recovery.
- Answer questions throughout your course of therapy.
Movement is one of the best ways to improve your overall wellbeing—if it’s done correctly under the supervision of a health professional. Our physiotherapists will work closely with you to help you regain your strength.
Through one-on-one, hands-on therapy, the physical therapists at South Orange Rehabilitation and Wellness can create a care plan that’s personalized to you so you can work towards your optimum health.
Want to learn more about how we can help you? Contact us today.
