Help yourself with a daily routine to improve function
How many people do you know that complain daily of aches, pains and bad backs? Are you included in that number? Did you know that 4 out of 5 of us will experience back pain in our lifetime? (Mayo Clinic 2009). Slumping over our car seats, slouching in front of computers, and relying on back rests to support ourselves, all can lead to insufficient core stability. Due to structural amnesia, weakness, tightness and imbalance our muscles can become inefficient and limited in their range of motion. This can create ineffective and painful movement patterns as well as an increase risk of injury.
Our core, which includes muscles of our abdominals, back, hips, buttocks, pelvic floor, and diaphragm muscles, are truly the foundation for proper functioning of our entire body. We need stability in our core in order control the movement of the rest of our body.
We can help ourselves tremendously with a daily combined routine of myofacial release and core exercises. This will help to diminish these aches and pains while developing core stability and neuromuscular control. A daily practice of using a few small props for myofacial release, and core exercises can help prevent back pain while strengthening the core for optimal movement patterns. Doing these exercises in the morning to awaken our bodies from stiffness can allow our muscles to become more pliable by increasing the blood flow to the soft tissues. This in turn will help with greater motor control and neuromuscular awareness, which facilitates injury prevention and efficient function (Idea Fitness Journal, January 2010, 25).
For further information and instruction about this program to help with aches, pains and bad backs, please contact Lee at 617-872-7429 or lee@womenswellnessandfitness.com
References
IDEA Fitness Journal. January 2010 P. 25
Mayo Clinic. www.mayoclinic.com/health/back-pain/DS00171;retrieved June 8, 2010
Wilson, J.D., et al. 2005. Core stability and its relationship to lower extremity function and injury. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, 13 (5), 316-25
