Have you ever heard the saying “You need to strengthen your core.”?
Why do I want a strong core for my lower back pain?
Having a strong core does not only mean having “six-pack abs” or looking good on the beach. Your core is not only what you see on the front of your stomach, but instead, it is a wrap that goes all around your waist. In fact, it includes your rectus abdominis, the obliques (both internal and external), transverse abdominis, and your lumbar muscles (including erector spinae and multifidus). All of those may sound like foreign words to you, but know that all of these together collectively create our “core”.
It is understood that if you are lacking muscle strength, you will begin to rely on the stability of passive structures. Such as your ligaments and bone structures, to keep you upright. Such as if you are standing and you kind of let your hip jet forward, without paying much attention to it. You are relying on the ligaments of the front of your hip to keep you standing.
Now, only strengthening your core is not going to help out your back. You don’t need to perform various stretching and strengthening exercises for the hips and lumbar spine. Understand that strengthening your core will also be beneficial in reducing potential future issues.
Click here to learn about a home low back pain program.
Why is Core Strength Important?
The reason why strengthening your core is so important is because it’s related mostly to your posture. Not only in standing but in sitting. Your position and posture while in these positions will make a difference in your ability to maintain that position for longer periods of time without aching.
Naturally, you may find that your low back “sinks in”, causing you to stick your gut out in front or stick your bottom out in the back, causing a “compression” or “pinching” pain in your lower back. Strengthening your core will assist you in creating muscle memory and postural awareness to prevent this type of posture.
Click here to watch at-home exercises for weak core strength.
What do you need to do for your back pain?
So with all of these in mind, make sure that you become more aware of how you are sitting or standing. What your back looks like, or even if you are “hanging on your ligaments”, and consider exercises to not only strengthen your back and hips but also your core. As always, be aware of your limits and listen to your body if you are considering finding exercises online. Also, understand that strengthening your core is only one piece of the puzzle.
Learn how physical therapy can help you strengthen your core for lower back pain: https://preferredptaz.com/back-pain/
Check out this educational video on how posture impacts your health with one of our favorite physical therapists, Hannah.
During her clinical rotations, Hannah had the opportunity to work under Nick Hunter (here at Preferred Physical Therapy) as a student. During her rotation, she had the chance to work with patients of all ages, from only a few months old, to patient’s celebrating a birthday in their 90’s. As much as she loved these experiences, she found herself being drawn towards an outpatient clinics where she is able to work with individuals motivated to return to their favorite activities, or even find ease with their daily routine.
In her spare time, Hannah loves spending time with her fiancé, Matt, old high school friends, and her family. She loves to do anything outdoors, play sports, watch movies and being able to catch up with loved ones.
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