29/11/2022
Weak core?
It's not that simple...
A "weak" core has been blamed as the "cause" of low back pain for a long time
However, we now know that persistent back pain is much more complicated than "weak core = back pain"
And there are PLENTY of people with really strong "cores" who suffer from persistent back pain, so what gives?
Well, there can be a myriad of factors that contribute to one's persistent back pain experience (or any persistent pain issue for that matter), which may include but are not limited to:
Mobility restrictions
Movement coordination/control deficits
Strength deficits
Fear of movement
Post-traumatic stress
Depression
Lack of sleep
Anxiety
Autoimmune disorders
Poor understanding of the condition
Poor diet
Excessive worry or constant focus on the pain
Catastrophizing
..and the list goes on...
So don't freak out if you suffer from persistent back pain but don't have great abdominal strength and control!
And no, if you don't currently experience back pain, you aren't doomed to have it if you have below average abdominal strength...you are at no higher risk than those with excellent strength!
It's also worth noting that performing "core" exercises can actually help, but it's not necessarily because it was "weak" to begin with and needs to be strengthened (note: "core stability" exercises have not been shown to be any more effective for improving chronic back pain compared to other forms of exercise)
It's probably more related to the act itself of tensing muscles around this area in a pain-free way, building confidence in the process...
It can also be helpful to learn how to use these muscles to limit movement if the spine is overly sensitive to TOO MUCH movement at any given point in time, BUT again...this doesn't mean that movement of the spine must be limited forever (it was designed to move!)
So hopefully now know that back pain (especially when persistent) is much too complex to be "fixed" by core exercises alone, and that, as a whole, neither having "weak" nor "strong" abdominal muscles will predict who will or will not suffer from back pain nor who will more likely recover from it!
Ref: Lederman, 2007
Centre paramédical composé de 4 kinésithérapeutes. Nous pratiquons des soins en rééducation classique ainsi qu'en balnéothérapie.
