Strengthening your core goes beyond getting a six-pack.  Approximately 85% of Canadians will experience low back pain at some point in their life.1  It has been found that a large part is due to weak core musculature.2

Did you know that the “core” is often described as a box, consisting of a complex series of muscles, which include everything from below the chest to the waist?3 These muscles work together like a belt to support the low back.

Here are three ways improving the strength of your core can help support your back.

Three things are needed to define a fear-avoidant behaviour2:

1. It helps reduce pain: Studies have shown that core stability exercises are more effective in reducing pain and disability compared to no treatment, regular medical treatment, education, or general exercise in individuals with low back pain.2
2. It helps increase stability: Spinal stability depends on three systems: the passive (bone and ligaments), the active (tendons and muscles), and the neural (brain and spinal cord).3 Individuals with low back pain have are less likely to activate their core muscles, which leads to decreased strength in their core.5Strengthening core exercises can improve spinal stability, which can ultimately reduce low back pain.
3. It helps improve posture: Weak core muscles are a major contributor to that slouching. Good posture is important to decrease the strain on your spine. Recent research has shown that training your core muscles have a positive effect on posture.6

References
1. Cassidy JD, Carroll LJ, Côté P. The Saskatchewan health and back pain survey. The prevalence of low back pain and related disability in Saskatchewan adults. Spine. (Phila Pa 1976). 1998;1:23(17):1860-6. 
2. Abdelraouf OR, Abdel-aziem AA. The relationship between core endurance and back dysfunction in collegiate male athletes with and without nonspecific low back pain. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2016;11(3):337-44.
3. Akuthota V, Nadler SF. Core strengthening. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2004;85:86-92.
4. Panjabi MM. The stabilizing system of the spine. Part II. Neutral zone and instability hypothesis. J Spinal Disord. 1992;5:390-6
5. Newcomer KL, Jacobson T D, Gabriel DA, Larson DR, Brey RH, An KN. Muscle activation patterns in subjects with and without low back pain. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2002;83(6): 816-21.
6. Karacaoğlu S, Kayapinar FÇ. The Effect of Core Training on Posture. Acad J Interdiscip Stud. 2015;4(1 S2):221.

Thanks to the Canadian Chiropractic Association for publishing this blog.  

Dr. Anita Chopra offers a complimentary 15 minute chiropractic consultation.  To book, call 416-873-4218 to schedule your appointment.