Enhancing Your Adjustments Helping patients strengthen their core muscles SAmPlE CASE A chiropractic wellness patient presents to the clinic for his regularly scheduled maintenance adjustment. Although the patient originally sought chiropractic treat-ment for back pain five years ago, he has not experienced any pain or discomfort while being under chiropractic care. Understanding the importance of properly maintaining the spine and nervous system, as taught to him by his chiropractor, the patient is more than happy to be checked for subluxations and adjusted as required. On one particular visit, the patient asks the doctor about an article he had recently read on “core exercises” helping to stabilize the spine. He asks the doctor to explain what “core” muscles are and if the doctor could show him some core exercises to do during his regular routine at the gym. Would you be comfortable explaining what is meant by “core muscles” to your patients? Would you be able to teach basic, intermediate and advanced level core exercise to your patients in order to have them incorporate these into their regular exercise routine? In this edition of Technique Toolbox, I will address these questions and more, as we explore how to help stabilize the body’s core. WHAT ARE ‘CORE’ mUSClES? That which experts refer to as the “core” actually consists of many different muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis, and run the entire length of the torso. When these muscles contract, they stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle and create a solid base of support. When this stability occurs, it enables us to generate powerful movements of the extremities. 1 These muscles help control movements, transfer energy, shift body weight and move in any direction. A strong core distributes the stresses of weight-bearing and protects the spine. 1 The following list includes the most common groups of core muscles: rectus abdominus; erector spinae; multifidus; internal and external obliques; transervse abdominus; hip flexors (illiacus, psoas, rectus femoris, pectinius, sartorius). 1 Therefore, in order to be effective, core conditioning exercise programs should in-corporate exercises that target the engagement of many muscles. Specifically, muscle groups throughout the torso that cross several joints and work together to co-ordi-nate stability. We must be mindful that core muscles must contract at the same time and work as a unit in order to stabilize the spine. 1 So, now that we understand a little more about the “core,” what exercises can you teach your patients to do in order to help stabilize the spine and support their ad-justments? The following exercises that I am going to share with you start at a basic level that most people will be able to perform, and progressively get more difficult for the individual with each advancing level. Be sure to inform the patient to move on to the next exercise only once they can comfortably perform the previous ones. CORE EXERCISE #1: PLANK (SEE PHOTO 1) 1 • Begin in the modified push-up position with your forearms and toes on the floor. • Keep your torso straight and rigid and your body in a straight line from ears to toes with no sagging or bending. • Your head is relaxed and you should be looking at the floor. • Hold this position for 10 seconds. • Progressively increase time to 30-60 seconds. www.canadianchiropractor.ca Dr. John Minardi is a 2001 graduate of Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College. A Thompson-certified practi-tioner and instructor, he is the cre-ator of the Thompson Technique Seminar Series and author of The Complete Thompson Textbook – Minardi Integrated Systems. In addi-tion to his busy lecture schedule, Dr. Minardi operates a successful pri-vate practice in Oakville, Ontario. E-mail [email protected], or visit www.ThompsonChiropractic Technique.com. John Minardi, BHK, DC 12 • CANADIAN CHIROPRACTOR | MAY 2012
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