Many people have heard the term core stability bandied but few know exactly what the term actually means. In actual fact, core stability is as important in everyday life as it is in the gym. It helps to prevent injuries in activities such as sitting, driving, gardening, shopping and DIY.

Core stability basically refers to stability of the spine. The “core” is a group of muscles in your back and stomach which help support your spine and keep your body stable/balanced. These muscles are extremely important in allowing you to perform everyday activities safely.

It has been shown that those who do not have good core strength/activation are far more likely to sustain an injury to their back. A weak core also increases your chance of injuries elsewhere as more load will be placed on other muscles.

The core comprises a lot of muscles however the most important muscles of the core are two muscle groups you probably haven’t heard of.

Transverse abdominus

This is the deepest of the abdominal muscles. Think of it as a corset or a weightlifters belt – wrapping around the spine for support, protection and stability.

Multifidus

Is a group of small muscles close in to the spine. These muscles respond to the movement and action of the transverse abdominis. They are also the first to start to waste away in an episode of back pain.

If you are fairly sedentary (desk job). There is no doubt you have a weak core. Combine that with sitting all day and it is a disaster waiting to happen. A qualified physiotherapist can develop a suitable core strengthening program for you which will help prevent injure. PREVENTION IS THE BEST CURE!!!

If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact us on 0401 865 333 (South Yarra) or 0406 067 105 (Balwyn). We are happy to help!

Many people come to see a physio when they are hurt and in pain. This could be due to a sports injury, a workplace incident or more commonly, those niggles that seem to never go away or even gets worse over time.

Whatever it is, pain is only a part of the injury. More than likely, there is a root cause of the pain or injury. You can take medication which will help to reduce the pain but without finding out the root cause, whether it’s next week or next month, it will most likely come back. So what can you do?

It’s important that you get to the bottom of your injury. That is why our consultation is longer than the industry normal, as this gives us a chance to delve deep into your history. At Capital Physiotherapy, our consultation involves a series of pinpointed questioning and movement tests to find out exactly why you are in pain. There may be areas of your body that is too tight or weak. There may be areas that has poor stability and poor muscle activation. Whatever it is, we will find them, provide you with an accurate diagnosis and start the treatment plan straightaway!

Remember, pain is simply a sensation that you feel when something is not right with your body. Panadol can mask the pain and let you do your normal activities, but if the pain continues, it is highly recommended that you see your trusted physiotherapist.
At Capital Physiotherapy, we also do running assessment and work ergonomic assessment. If you have more questions, please do not hesitate to let us know if we can help you!