The Core

THE CORE
 
 What is it?
 
The "core" is a word that people may use to describe a few different things. Colloquially this word has become synonymous with abdominals. Depending on who you ask you may get a different answer because "the core" is not a structure. I define the core as everything but your arms and legs. It is the cylinder of the body- the trunk. The top of the core is the diaphragm and the bottom is the pelvic floor. It includes all the muscles and structures that surround the area from below your neck to the hips. Abdominal muscles, shoulder girdle, back muscles, and glutes.
 
 
What does it do?
So many things! Here are just a few 
1. Breathing: it controls the breath and changing pressures in the body as you inhale and exhale 
2. Posture: it holds you upright
3. Stabilises you as you move through space
 
 
Is it important?
YES! It is important to help us breathe stabilise and move through space with control. However it is not always to blame for the cause of injury. It is an integral part of the body- without it we would just be arms and legs 🤪
 
 
How do you strengthen the core?
Strengthening the core is much more complex than doing sit ups. It involves breathwork, spinal mobility, motor control, stabilisation, coordination & more. Tune in for next week's post where I will show you some great core exercises!
 
 
As always this post is purely for education and entertainment and does not act to diagnose or treat. If you have specific questions about your own core, make an appointment with your physio!

Written by Alison Jeffery - Physiotherapist, Women’s Health Specialist &
Pilates Instructor.

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