So many people with back pain have been taught to artificially hold, grip, or tighten their abdominal muscles during exercise or daily movements, for the purpose of "stabilizing" the lumbar spine. New research shows why this approach not only doesn't work, but actually might reduce shock absorption, jeopardizing the spine and other joints like hips, knees and ankles:
Revolutions in Fitness physiotherapists, trained in the Functional Manual Therapy approach, train clients to achieve stability through appropriate movement strategies, not just by sheer strength. Core strength is important, but our approach to achieving a happy spine is to encourage an automatic, integrated, well-timed core response during functional movement patterns, so it becomes a way of life. Movement should be a joy, not a chore!
Mark McMahon, DPT, OMT, CFMT
