Understanding Your Core and its Function

Many of us with low back pain have been told by our doctors or therapists to strengthen our core. But what does that mean exactly? Is the core purely our abdominal muscles? And how exactly do our abdominal muscles help our back from hurting?

The core is not just our abdominal muscles, but rather our entire torso! Our core encompasses our pelvis all the way to our rib cage. Our core is a cylinder of sorts, creating a support system around all sides of our body.

The specific muscles that make up our core, include our 

• gluteal or buttock muscles 
• low back muscles 
• lower transverse abdominus 
• rectus abdominus 
• oblique muscles
• and pelvic floor muscles

​These muscles when working together and properly, decrease load on our low back which decreases associated pain and symptoms. However when we have low back pain, we often struggle to engage our core effectively or efficiently. Hence, we can benefit from the instruction and cueing from our pilates instructors during specific focused core exercises on both the mat and pilates equipment! Studies show plenty of repetition and practice, 5-6 days per week ideally, of therapeutic core exercises are needed to reap the benefit. However, the reward of manageable or minimal symptoms with a chronic low back condition is significant!