What is Core Stability?
By: Jennifer Cushing PT
Stability is the body’s ability to use muscles to control movement while preventing excessive stress on joint structures. Your core is comprised of muscles surrounding the abdomen and pelvis: 1) Transverse Abdominus (the deepest abdominal muscle), 2) Multifidus (found in the low back), 3) the pelvic floor muscles and 4) the diaphragm. These muscles as forming a cylinder that gives your trunk balance and stability.
Note: Are you an athlete or a weekend warrior living in Oakville or Burlington and you know you do not perform at your peak? Check with our physiotherapists from the Oakville and Burlington physio clinics.
Normally, the core muscles contract PRIOR to trunk or limb movement to stabilize the spinal column and pelvis. If you lack this ability to contract the postural muscles of the trunk, undue stress is placed on the vertebral column, pelvis and joints of the lower limb. Core stability is decreased if any of the core muscles become dysfunctional. These muscles do not spontaneously recover therefore retraining them plays a key role in decreasing or preventing Sacroiliac pain. Another muscle, gluteus medius, located in the buttock region also plays a key role in stabilizing the pelvis. Core retraining can be achieved with specific exercises from your physiotherapist.
Posture
Slumped posture causes unequal loading on the spine and an uneven distribution of force through the ligaments and muscles. Over time this can lead to cumulative injury and pain. Therefore, it is important to maintain good postural alignment with all activities, including sitting, standing, lifting, and when sleeping.
Positioning for pain relief:
Early on in an injury it can be difficult to find a comfortable position to rest or sleep. When you are experiencing a lot of pain, please, check with our Sheddon Physiotherapists from Oakvillel and Burlington clinics to see what is appropriate for you, call us at 905-849-4576.
We are located less than 10 min from Sheridan College Oakville and 4 min West of Canlan Ice Sports.
The Burlington physio clinic is located only 6 min north-west of Joseph Brant Hospital and 2 min south-west of Mapleview Shopping Centre, on Plains Rd East.
