![\"Core](\"https:\/\/eastendchiro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/core-body-strength-nashville-tn-east-end-chiropractic-300x199.jpg\" "\\"Core")
<\/p>\nCore strength has been a big buzz word in the health, wellness, and fitness community lately.<\/p>\n
There is a reason \u2018core strength\u2019 is discussed so much in medical research, fitness articles, and blogs like this one. It is a very important subsystem of the body!<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
However, it is key to learn a few things about the core before jumping into the latest Facebook post on \u201cHow to get a 6-Pack in 6 Days\u201d.<\/p>\n
The following two part<\/em> series will break down a few aspects about \u2018core strength\u2019 in order to prepare yourself for additional readings, advice, or physical evaluations with a licensed practitioner.<\/p>\n The core that the general public tends to refer to is only the rectus abdominis muscle, aka 4, 6, or 8 pack.\u00a0 This is the muscle that extends along the front of the body from the bottom of the sternum to the top of the pubic symphysis, or pelvis.<\/p>\n In reality, the core should include this muscle and MANY others.<\/p>\n Here is a short list of muscles you can look up to get an idea of the extensive network of the core:<\/p>\n FRONT: Rectus Abdominis Again, this list is very short in comparison to the reality of how many muscle are activated when recruiting our core. Just keep in mind that the core refers to muscles surrounding the midsection of our body all the way around and extending from the bottom of the sternum and ribs to the pelvis.<\/p>\n Core strength is valuable for a number of structural and functional purposes. It serves as a structural protector to the internal organ systems. Functionally, the job description of the core continues to grow. Two functions of the core that relate well to daily movement are lumbopelvic stability and diaphragm activation.<\/p>\n When the diaphragm is correctly activated it controls our breathing rates and oxygen input. Proper diaphragm use contributes to better breathing performance when exercising, doing yard work, or even giving a speech. Improved breathing patterns have contributed to decreased symptoms of asthma and allergies as well!<\/p>\n The diaphragm is directly related to the parasympathetic nervous system. The stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system, aka the \u2018rest and digest\u2019 nervous system, is very important in the American culture. Typically people present over-stressed with symptoms of fatigue, muscle cramps, increased heart rates, and high blood pressure. Taking slow deep breaths, using the diaphragm and core correctly, truly does encourage a controlled meditative state for efficient recovery and healing.<\/p>\n If you do decide to jump into some core work, please consider the posture of the lumbar spine and breathing patterns!<\/p>\n Hopefully these few thoughts will start to open doors for deeper conversation regarding the complexity of \u2018core strength\u2019.<\/p>\n Still to come: Consider the Core Part II<\/strong>: \u201cHow do you know if your core is strong enough?\u201d<\/em> and \u201cHow can the core be activated efficiently?\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Core strength has been a big buzz word in the health, wellness, and fitness community lately. There is a reason \u2018core strength\u2019 is discussed so much in medical research, fitness articles, and blogs like this one. It is a very important subsystem of the body! However, it is key to learn a few things about […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[275],"tags":[325,326],"yoast_head":"\nWhat Makes Up the Core?<\/em><\/h3>\n
\nSIDE: External Oblique, Internal Oblique, Transversus Abdominis
\nBACK: Psoas, Longissimus, Multifidii, Iliocostalis
\nTOP: Diaphragm
\nBOTTOM: Pelvic Floor (We will detail this some other time!)<\/p><\/blockquote>\nWhy Is Core Strength Important?<\/em><\/h3>\n
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