by Stone Handy

Created on: August 08, 2008   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

Core Muscles

Exercise is the best medicine, and in some cases the only medicine that will work for some discomforts. For example, there is no pill for weak core muscles. Weak core muscles contribute to instability, lower back pain and poor posture.

The core muscles are the area around the trunk and pelvis including the lower back, hip and abdominal muscles. When these muscles grow weak or imbalanced problems surface that some of us like to rationalize by saying, "Oh well, I guess I'm getting old." As a trainer, my response is always the same. "Getting older is a fact of life. Getting old is a matter of choice."

If our core muscles are weak, we probably struggle to get out of a low slung couch or going to the ground for dropped keys is something we have to stop and gauge. These activities should be easy to do. These are basic movements and when they become difficult to do,we do feel old.

One of the most common imbalances in the core muscles, are between the lower back and abdominals. Lower back pain may be a result of this instability and it can be severe. A lot of pain medicine is consumed due to this lack of physical harmony. The problem isn't solved and the medicines add stressors to other parts of the body.

How does this happen? Our lower back muscles are almost constantly flexed. When we walk, sit at a desk, make a bed or mow a yard, we lean forward. The back muscles and legs keep us from going so far forward we end up kissing dirt. Only one of these four activities requires tensed abdominals and that is mowing the yard. After years go by the back muscles become short and strong while the abs become long and weak.

So what is the best medicine? Work your abs and oblique muscles. Stretch your lower back and hamstrings. Learn to do squats, the top dog of all exercise programs, but go slowly and gently. If you persist the body will find harmony. As always, depending on your conditioning and age, check with a physician before starting any program of new exercises.

Mayoclinic.com has a slideshow on core muscle exercises. Type "Core Muscles" in their search engine, scroll down a bit, and you'll find it. If you Google "exercise for lower back pain" you'll find plenty of exercises to pick and choose. 10 minutes two to three times a week is plenty. Stay healthy.

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