Core strength...and why you're possibly getting it wrong...

Now, unless you've been living under a rock, you will have heard the term "core strength" repeatedly...whether it be in infomercials, on The Biggest Loser, or at your chiropractor's office. 


So, what is it?? 


And why is it so crucial??


Core strength is basically the muscular stabilisation that allows your body to undertake everyday tasks, such as lifting, twisting and bending. So, working on your core strength will help you perform these tasks more efficiently, and with a decreased risk of injury.


Now, core strength does involve the abdominal muscles (namely the rectus abdominus, internal and external obliques, and the deep musculature of the transverse abdominus) but it also involves the hip flexors (psoas, pectineus and rectus femoris), hip extensors (hamstrings and gluts) and some muscles of the back (erector spinae and multifidus).

I'll tell you now - your sit-ups aren't going to exercise all of those muscles...and not all of those muscles will need exercise...


I hear so many people talk about "the plank" as the exercise to do...and you know what?? It does help, but it's a very very long way from the whole picture...the plank really only fires rectus abdominus (the six-pack muscles) and transverse abdominus. And if you happen to have an overactive psoas muscle, I don't care how long you can hold the plank for - you're not going to correct it...


So, how do you solve this puzzle and know which core strength exercises are for you?? Well, you ask...preferably, ask someone with the knowledge and training behind them and who has taken the time to assess your physical state. Core strength isn't just about exercises, it also involves stretching of overactive muscles and the correct balancing of agonist and antagonist muscles. 


My point is - core strength is not a simple matter, it involves a thorough assessment and the application of the correct exercises and stretches. This means, in my opinion, if you want to know - consult your chiro...

Exercise Physiology and Functional Biomechanics...

Big impressive sounding words...but what do they actually mean??

And what relevance do they have to you as a patient??

I'll make it pretty simple...those words basically mean I spent four years studying exactly how you should move...and then spent another four years telling elite athletes these exact things...

"...but Caolan, I'm not trying to compete in the Olympics...I just want to lose this..." 

(note: at this stage the said patient is usually grabbing at their stomach or other area they feel they need to lose weight from)

...so, why would me telling you how you move help?? Simple, firstly it will make sure that your technique is correct and this means that your chosen form of exercise will work the exact muscles you want it to...

...secondly, if the exercise is performed correctly you're less likely to injure yourself in your sporting endeavours...and let's be honest, although I love seeing my patients, it's annoying for both them and me when I have to constantly treat things that are incredibly preventable...

The other point in all of this - as much as my extra studies (yes, extra - this isn't something every chiropractor studies) help me to help you to move properly, I can also help you in what to do when you are not moving...

"...oh, so you're telling me how I should rest now??"...in a short answer, yes...I'm telling you how you should recover - and that means stretching...but I will also tell you how you should be working too...

Now, I could run through all the different things you should think about at work...but everyone of you has a different job and a different build, with different strengths and weaknesses...so you really need someone to individually assess you, and tell you how you can change your postural habits and physical workspace to ensure you stay in the best physical shape possible...

At the end of the day, most people come to see me because they're in pain...and they're usually in pain, not because of one incident but because they have done the same little thing wrong - over and over again...and that's what the study of exercise physiology and biomechanics can help me identify and you overcome...