A new study just came out comparing different methods of back pain prevention in a military setting. The headline is that back pain education was more effective than core stabilization exercise. Is that what it really shows? Does that mean I should put down that swiss ball and pick up a book instead? Here’s a… Continue Reading
Move better. Feel better.
Category Archives: core strength
Does Anterior Pelvic Tilt Cause Low Back Pain?
Question: What is anterior pelvic tilt? Answer: It means the front end of the pelvis tips forward and the back end hikes up. Question: Will that make my gut look bigger? Answer: Yes. Question: Is that why my low back hurts? Answer: Let’s check the internet… What Google Says An internet search for anterior pelvic… Continue Reading
The Effect of Fatigue on Coordination
I just read the abstract of a study cited by Chris Highcock at Conditioning Research. (By the way if you are interested in either strength training or hiking, check out Chris’ excellent new e-book called Hillfit.) It is one of many studies that show that muscular fatigue impairs coordination. Because coordination is essentially a mental… Continue Reading
Some Good Quotes from “Movement” by Gray Cook
I recently picked up a copy of Gray Cook’s new book called Movement. I have only read a few chapters, but I have already seen some excellent quotes that I want to share below. In case you haven’t heard of Cook, he is a well-known physical therapist who developed the popular functional movement screen (FMS).… Continue Reading
Strategies to Reduce Chronic Pain, Part Two
No gain? In a previous post I discussed some basic strategies to reduce chronic pain, based on what we know about pain science. As discussed here, chronic pain is sometimes not so much a problem with actual ongoing physical damage to the body, but instead due to overactivity in the pain alarm system itself. Here… Continue Reading
More on Back Pain Myths: Core Strength
In a recent post I argued that there exists very little scientific evidence to justify the ubiquitous recommendation that core strengthening is a good way to prevent and/or cure low back pain. In fact, there is significant evidence that core work is no better than general exercise for these purposes. Some recent studies have provided… Continue Reading
Back Pain Myths: Posture, Core Strength, Bulging Discs
Problem? It is an article of faith among many mainstream experts that poor posture, lack of core strength, and/or structural abnormalities such as bulging discs are major causes of pain, especially back pain. A further assumption is that by working to correct such imbalances, through stretching or strengthening regimes, or surgery, the imbalances can be… Continue Reading