You've Strengthened Your Core, But Can You Move It?

The last few weeks I've seen a number of clients that do a lot of core work, or by the nature of their daily activities, they use their core a lot. Many of them think they have a weak core, though the core muscles seem toned. There's few things that could be happening:

• They don't have a weak core, they've been told that because it's the fitness fad. In fact, most people have pretty decent core strength unless they have an office job and don't do any core strengthening activities outside of work.
• They have a toned core, but one of more of the muscles is neurologically inhibited. This can be due to adhesions, that restrict the muscle causing the cerebellum of the brain to get used to not recruiting the muscle. Or simply a poor movement pattern was established in the cerebellum.
• The last is really the muscle is just too restricted (sometimes due to core exercises!) or too weak to do the job (usually from being too sedentary). In other words, you try to use it and you can't.
• All of the above can be true. Bodywork can help you access and regain mobility in your core.

If you are doing core exercises (not under the care of a licensed healthcare professional) and are feeling more discomfort rather than less, it might be helpful to stop doing them and focus on flexibility and mobility for a while. Have a physical therapist evaluate whether you need the exercises and if they are being done correctly..

Here's one view of why you need to be able to move as well as stabilize your core. Qi gong, tai chi, and yoga can help you keep it that way.