I agree with you Dr. Anand about the need to attend to our core strength to avoid injury from running. You're right-on about that of course. This sentence raised an eyebrow for me: "when the abdominal muscles are weak, you’ll be running with your abdomen pushed forward, which also pulls your lower spine forward, creating an unnatural and dangerous spinal shape." Hopefully this does not mislead too many people into believing that they should run with the pelvis tucked or the abdominals engaged...?
This shape you describe is natural and not actually the problem in and of itself. To try to reduce this natural sway would be much more stressful on the spine and more likely to cause back pain. A flat and straight spine is not a safe spine. Too many people already believe incorrectly that there is some benefit to reducing that natural swayed shape of the lower back. Very rare cases of facet inflammation call for reducing the curve while inflammation decreases but ultimately that inflammation is only there because of some sort of imbalance in movement.
Core strengthening is something that can happen without losing this highly important and structurally sound curve that actually provides a significant amount of protective shock absorption to the spine as a whole. It's only when the core is weak and fatigued or neurologically inhibited due to injury or bad habits that we need to be concerned for the impact of gravitational forces on this low back sway. Axial compression on a weak spine no matter what the shape will over time result in injury and pain.
Another thing to remember and that might put all of this into better perspective is that ABDOMINAL strengthening via crunches etc. is not necessarily the same thing as CORE strengthening for your spine, and the two are often confused and/or lumped together. If you aren't sure of the difference you should consult a physical therapist, a chiropractor or a trainer at the gym.
(I'd also be happy to give you my perspective in more detail based on what I've seen in practice - feel free to use the contact form through my website or any of my social media links that you'll see on my empowHER profile.)
You raise a very good topic for debate Dr. Anand!
YL
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I agree with you Dr. Anand about the need to attend to our core strength to avoid injury from running. You're right-on about that of course. This sentence raised an eyebrow for me: "when the abdominal muscles are weak, you’ll be running with your abdomen pushed forward, which also pulls your lower spine forward, creating an unnatural and dangerous spinal shape." Hopefully this does not mislead too many people into believing that they should run with the pelvis tucked or the abdominals engaged...?
This shape you describe is natural and not actually the problem in and of itself. To try to reduce this natural sway would be much more stressful on the spine and more likely to cause back pain. A flat and straight spine is not a safe spine. Too many people already believe incorrectly that there is some benefit to reducing that natural swayed shape of the lower back. Very rare cases of facet inflammation call for reducing the curve while inflammation decreases but ultimately that inflammation is only there because of some sort of imbalance in movement.
Core strengthening is something that can happen without losing this highly important and structurally sound curve that actually provides a significant amount of protective shock absorption to the spine as a whole. It's only when the core is weak and fatigued or neurologically inhibited due to injury or bad habits that we need to be concerned for the impact of gravitational forces on this low back sway. Axial compression on a weak spine no matter what the shape will over time result in injury and pain.
Another thing to remember and that might put all of this into better perspective is that ABDOMINAL strengthening via crunches etc. is not necessarily the same thing as CORE strengthening for your spine, and the two are often confused and/or lumped together. If you aren't sure of the difference you should consult a physical therapist, a chiropractor or a trainer at the gym.
February 19, 2014 - 3:17pm(I'd also be happy to give you my perspective in more detail based on what I've seen in practice - feel free to use the contact form through my website or any of my social media links that you'll see on my empowHER profile.)
You raise a very good topic for debate Dr. Anand!
YL
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