Locations
Rebalance Yonge & Adelaide Yonge & Adelaide
Physiotherapy Toronto TTC SubwayPhysiotherapy Office Toronto PATH
110 Yonge Street Suite #905
Toronto, ON M5C 1T4Rebalance Sports Medicine - 110 Yonge Street Suite #905

T: (416) 777-9999
F: 1-866-338-1236
E: [email protected]

Rebalance University & KingUniversity & King
Downtown Toronto Physio TTC
155 University Avenue Suite #303
Toronto, ON M5H 3B7
Rebalance Sports Medicine - 155 University Avenue Suite #303

T: (416) 306-1111
F: 1-866-204-0961
E: [email protected]

Rebalance PhysiotherapyHOURS
Monday:
7 AM - 6 PM
Tuesday:
7 AM - 6 PM
Wednesday:
7 AM - 6 PM
Thurdsday:
7 AM - 6 PM
Friday:
7 AM - 6 PM
Saturday:
Closed
Sunday:
Closed
Phone NumberCall
YONGE & ADELAIDE
UNIVERSITY & KING

What is My Core and How Can it Help Protect My Back?

August 17, 2015 by Rebalance Toronto

abdominal core strengthening for injury prevention - physiotherapy torontoThe core is a very broad term often used to describe the muscles around the trunk, including the abdominals and low back muscles. However, there is a very specific part of the core musculature, which is especially important from an injury prevention and rehabilitation perspective. This very important part of the core is the deepest layer of muscle in the midsection, also referred to as the ‘inner unit’ and it is comprised of four key muscles.

  1. Transversus Abdominis: Often referred to as the ‘TA’ for short, this is a flat sheet-like muscle which wraps around the torso from back to front and from the ribs to the pelvis. The fibres of this muscle run horizontally, so when it tightens it acts like a corset providing support to this entire region.
  2. Multifidus: This deep muscle runs up the length of the spine and has attachments onto each individual vertebra in the lumbar spine (aka low back). It helps provide stability to the spinal column. In continuing with the corset analogy above, the multifidus can be thought of as the strings that tie the corset together.
  3. Diaphragm: The diaphragm extends across the bottom of the ribcage, separating the thoracic and abdominal cavities. It serves an important function in both respiration and core stabilization. For the diaphragm to function optimally, it needs to provide stability and allow for respiration simultaneously.
  4. core strength and low back painPelvic Floor Muscles: The pelvic floor is a muscular sling, which stretches across the bottom of the pelvis, both from front to back and side to side. There is a close association between the pelvic floor and the transversus abdominis (TA), such that a contraction of the pelvic floor can help to facilitate a TA contraction and vice versa. A pelvic floor contraction is also important to maintain the abdominal contents within the abdominal cavity against the increased intra-abdominal pressure created by contracting the other muscles of the inner unit.

deep core musclesThe muscles listed above need to be able to work together for the inner unit to function well as a unit and to provide stability in the lumbo-pelvic region. They support a healthy posture, and should turn on in anticipation of movement to help protect the low back. For example, before bending down to pick something up off the ground, the inner unit should turn on automatically. However, in people with a history of low back pain, there is often a delay in this anticipatory function and atrophy in these very important muscles. This is why the inner unit needs to be retrained to work properly after low back injuries in order prevent injury recurrence and persistence of back pain.

Physiotherapists are experts in this area and can help teach you how to re-train a healthy core. If you are currently experiencing low back pain or have had a previous low back injury and want to prevent a recurrences, please do not hesitate to book an assessment with one of our experienced registered physiotherapists. Contact us today!

Written By: Reanna Montopoli, FCAMPT Physiotherapist

Rebalance Toronto

Rebalance Sports Medicine is a multidisciplinary clinic in downtown Toronto offering physiotherapy, chiropractic, registered massage therapy, sports medicine, naturopathy, Pilates and more.

Request An Appointment Online or Call Now







YONGE & ADELAIDE
UNIVERSITY & KING
Yonge & AdelaideRebalance Clinic Yonge Adelaide
110 Yonge Street Suite 905
Toronto, ON M5C 1T4
T: (416) 777-9999
E: [email protected]
University & KingRebalance Clinic University King
155 University Avenue Suite 303
Toronto, ON M5H 3B7
T: (416) 306-1111
E: [email protected]

Copyright © Rebalance Sports Medicine 2013-2024. All rights reserved.

BOOK APPOINTMENT
Book Appointment Online