Core Muscles- Necessary?

You've heard it before, "You need to work on your core muscles!" Having a strong core doesn't mean you have to have SIX-PACK ABS.   The core consists of the muscles of your midsection.  The core muscles are your foundation and function as the body's stabilizer.  Not only does your core allow you to twist, bend, and move your torso, it PROTECTS your spine and it protects YOU.  Unfortunately, as we age, the core gets weaker, especially if we don't make an effort to maintain and/or strengthen it.  And as muscle mass decreases, flexibility weans, and your cat-like reflexes aren't quite what they use to be, your balance suffers and you know as well as I do, you DON'T want to fall.  

 

Think of your spine like the mast of a sailboat.  That mast requires lots of rigging for support and reinforcement against opposing loads.  Similarly, your core muscles provide the strength and support your spine needs for safe, controlled movement.  Not only that, your muscle can be strengthened and are resilient and can help protect the less resilient bones and nerves in your spine.

 

While the HOW'S to strengthen your core are beyond the scope of our brief discussion, you may be surprised to find out that some can be done while sitting in chair.  We can give tips, provide resources, and/or refer to physical therapy.  We'd love to help you out.