Archive for the ‘Training’ Category

The Psoas

The Psoas (Greek for loins) is a long muscle that attaches to both the lumbar spine and pelvis. The primary function of the Psoas is to lift the upper leg towards the body.

But did you know that it also helps bend the trunk sideways (lateral flexion) and helps you get up from a lying down position?

It is a key muscle used in running and also helps with movements at the hip joint.

Tightness in the psoas can lead to pain in the lower back as it can compress the lumbar discs when tight. It can also limit your trunk sideways movements when tight.

Irritation of the psoas can lead to groin and thigh pain.

 

Stretching your Psoas

The sequence below shows you how to do this stretch that will let you know if you have a tight psoas but also give your psoas a well-deserved stretch.

psoas-stretch

The Psoas stretch lengthens the muscles at the front of the hip.

  • To begin, ensure your rear knee is directly under your hip and your front knee is in line with your front heel.
  • Tuck your bottom under and lean forward.
  • For an extra stretch place your hands behind your head and slightly arch your upper back backwards.

More exercises

Click the type of exercise below.

Core Muscles & Training

We hear a lot these days about developing core muscles, but what are they and why do we need to train them?

core-muscle-diagramThe core muscles are those that wrap around the trunk of the body.  They include the:

  • abdominals
  • obliques (sides)
  • mid and lower back musculature
  • pelvic floor
  • diaphragm

Although a portion of the core muscles are visible surface muscle, most of the muscles that make up the core are deep tissue muscles such as the transverse abdominus & multifidus.

Core muscle research

Recent research has shown that these deep core muscles switch on in anticipation of movement and act as a corset, stabilising the back and pelvis as we load and unload our joints.

The timing and activation of these core muscles is critical for effective load transfer – as is the co-contraction or way these muscles work together with each other.

Research has also shown that during episodes of back or pelvic pain, the timing or co-contraction of these deep core muscles can be inhibited, placing an increased load on the more superficial back muscles.

Once the core muscles are inhibited they don’t automatically switch back on once the back or pelvic pain goes.  They need to be ‘trained’ to regain the correct timing and co-contraction to stabilise the back and pelvis once again.

Core muscle training exercises like Pilates helps restore both timing and co-contraction by teaching the brain to recruit groups of muscles at a what we call sub-maximal co-contraction.

It is important to restore this prior to core strengthening exercises.  Why?

Core strengthening without restoring the correct timing and sequencing of the core musculature will only increase the load on the more superficial muscles.

To improve core strength, you must train the core muscles first!

And, this is where Strive Physiotherapy & Pilates can help you.

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