We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Core strength is important to your spinal health. But why? Why should we care? The answer is in the natural balance of your body. The core muscles are the deep intrinsic muscles of the trunk, including the transverse abdominus, the abdominal obliques and all the tiny muscles that support the joints of the spine. When these muscles are weak, we tend to let our belly hang forward and let our low backs have increased curvature. This position puts more stress on the joints of the low back, causing increased risk of arthritis and facet syndrome AND it puts more pressure on the intervertebral discs, increasing the risk of disc derangement and herniation. When the core muscles are strong, however, they allow the spine to be well supported. Because the spine is well supported, it is better able to respond to other stresses, such as the positions maintained while engaging in sports or working. This means that the well-supported spine is less likely to be injured. In addition, the well-supported spine holds chiropractic adjustments better than a spine with weak core musculature. This translates into fewer office visits and faster healing for chiropractic patients, both when they are on maintenance care and when they have a new injury.With this in mind, we hope you will all re-consider the importance to your core. Please ask us for advice if you are unsure as to the appropriateness of your core workout. We are here to help you and your joints be the best they can be!
