The importance of core strength to stay injury free

If you want to avoid injury, building up your core strength is important. With more people working from home after the lockdowns, physiotherapists are seeing a gradual increase in posture-related problems. Poor posture can weaken the core, increasing your chance of injury.

So, why is core strength important and how can you improve it to avoid injury? Find out everything you need to know below…

What is core strength?

Core strength relates to the muscles of your torso, or midsection. They include the abdominal, lower back, and the side muscles. When these muscles are strong, they help to stabilise the pelvis and the spine. This in turn helps you to maintain good posture and protect you from injury.

Why is core strength important?

The stronger your core muscles are, the less likely you’ll be to suffer an injury. You’ll also find it easier to carry out daily activities such as walking, vacuuming, and getting up out of a chair.

Core strength is particularly important for athletes who are at an increased risk of injury. By keeping your core strength topped up, you’ll be able to participate safely in your chosen sport. So, how can you tell if your core could use a little work? The main signs of a weak core include:

• Pain within the lower back

• Knee pain

• Low endurance for physical activity

• Poor balance and posture

• Poor flexibility

These are the main signs that point to a need to strengthen your core. The question is, how can you build up core strength?

How to build up core strength

If you want to improve core strength, the good news is there are lots of ways to do it. Carrying out specific exercises is the first step to a strong core.

Pilates is an especially great way to focus on core strength. When combined with physiotherapy, it helps to build up strength, while also improving flexibility and range of motion.

You can also do sit-ups, alongside stomach crunches to target the abdominal area. The plank exercise is also a good core strengthening workout. Doing a plank once each day can greatly build up core strength, protecting you from injury. However, it’s vitally important that you maintain correct form whilst performing the plank exercise in order to maximize your results. Keep your elbows directly beneath your shoulders and maintain a straight back at all times.

While exercise can greatly help to improve core strength, you do need to know what you are doing. If you do any core strengthening exercises incorrectly, it could actually cause, rather than prevent, an injury. That is why it is important to seek professional guidance.

Kamila Fuczko is our specialist spinal physiotherapist, as well as a Pilates and Yoga Instructor. She has helped hundreds of patients improve their core strength by incorporating targeted exercises and physiotherapy into their treatment plan.

Book a consultation with Kamila today to start building up your core strength, eliminate pain, and improve flexibility.