By Brooke Strickland and Dr. Andrew Cash
The muscles that surround the back and abdomen have been named the “core” as they are the basis for all other muscles to work upon to start movement. These muscles help control movements, transfer energy, and shift body weight evenly. Core stabilization exercises help develop your abdominal, spine, and lower back muscles to function at their peak.
What are the uses of core stabilization exercises?
Injury prevention: A strong core means that your other muscles will work efficiently together. By exercising these muscles, you will lower your risk of injury because there will be less muscle imbalance and stronger, firmer muscles.
Rehabilitation: For individuals recovering from injuries that are causing low back pain, shoulder pain, or even hamstring pain, core stabilization exercises can help bring stability back to the muscles, ease pain, and strengthen the overall functioning of the body.
Exercise enhancement: Incorporating core exercises into your regular exercising routine can greatly improve balance and can improve twisting strength needed for sports such as tennis, throwing, or swimming. Remember, sit ups and abdominal crunches are good, but to have a strong core, you must exercise a variety of muscles from your hips to your shoulders.
What are the benefits of a strong core?
If you have a strong core, you’ll likely have less back pain. Strong core muscles help maintain good posture and alleviate unnecessary strain on the spine. In addition, with a strong core, you’ll likely do better in sports activities because your spine will be stabilized and able to more easily transfer power to the arms and legs.
What are the best core exercises?
Core exercises must engage muscles throughout the upper body. There are an assortment of uncomplicated bodyweight exercises that can be done to strengthen your core and improve balance.
Talk to your doctor before attempting any new routines that could strain your back and cause injury. Contact Dr. Cash at Desert Institute of Spine Care for an appointment at: http://www.disclv.com.
You can also view Dr. Cash's Verified Reviews® at www.medrounds.org/Dr_Andrew_Cash or his personal page at www.andrew-cash-md.com.