How Chiropractic and Core Exercises Keep Us Moving
By Sandy Schroeder
As we move through our 30s, 40s and beyond, strong core muscles are crucial to keep life running smoothly. When you work at your desk, sit on the floor with your kids, vacuum, trim bushes, or hit the courts on the weekend, your core muscles help to keep your body moving smoothly.
Harvard Health says the core is a group of muscles that control and stabilize the spine and the pelvis as they work with the upper body and legs. It turns out a strong core is really about maintaining good posture and fluid movements. If the core is weak and imbalanced, problems occur up and down the body. Knee pain can be caused by an unstable pelvis. Runners can have back or neck pain when core shock absorbers fail.
Exercises to Strengthen the Core
Mayo Clinic recommends a regular exercise program to keep the core strong and flexible. Mayo doctors say, “Any exercise that involves the use of abdominal and back muscles in coordinated fashion counts as a core exercise.”
Free weights can be used to strengthen core muscles, along with planks, and fitness ball exercises. Pilates and yoga classes work too.
Harvard Health says it can take a while for people to find their core, but when they do, it can be activated while sitting, walking or driving.
How Chiropractic Helps
The chiropractic focus on spinal health is a natural to team with core exercises. The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you provides a wellness center staffed with doctors of chiropractic who are well equipped to help.
When you come in, your chiropractor will assess your core strength, ask about daily routines and pain, and review health history.
A gentle targeted spinal adjustment may relieve pain and create an overall sense of well-being. As you assess benefits, a weekly 15-minute adjustment may prove to be the best way to keep the benefits flowing. At the same time, weekly sessions may be the best way to find core exercises that work, such as this one.
The Bridge
Lie flat on a mat with knees bent. Do not arch the back or press it tightly to the mat. Tighten abdominal muscles. Raise hips off the floor lining, hips up with knees and shoulders. Hold as long as comfortable. Lower slowly back to the mat.
When you are ready to get started, stop by The Joint Chiropractic clinic near you to find out more about personal healthcare plans that eliminate the need for insurance, and walk-in visits that need no appointments. Clinics are open on evenings and weekends too.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Mesa, Ariz.