Strengthening the core

Body: 

Just having a little rant here. I think I will scream if I hear one more word about strengthening the core and only mentioning the rectus abdominus, obliques, transverse abdominus and erector spinae muscles!

How long will it take before these fitness experts realise that the core is strengthened by *trains of muscles* and other structures that go all the way to our tips of our toes and fingers? It is by no means limited to those particular muscles only, or only to muscles. The whole body is the core. The core cannot be divided off from its own extremities!

Sure, if you have the muscle tone of a sea cucumber your TA, RA, obliques, ES need work, but so do all the other parts of the body! I have a suspicion that doing everything in Wholewoman posture is the best workout for your body, just doing everyday activities. It we ditched our chairs nobody would need to do squats ever again, because we would be doing them all day, every day as we stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, etc!

Sorry if anyone's best friend is a sea cucumber. Didn't mean to offend the sealife.

Louise

I have pretty severe prolapsed mainly of my uterus but bladder and rectocele also. My MD recommended physical therapy. I have been going now for almost a month and the main recommendation is serious kegel workouts.
Christine said that kegels can actually make things worse. I am VERY motivated to do what it takes to improve. Could someone please explain why kegels make things worse and should I NOT be trying to strengthen my pelvic floor musculature???
I am oh so very grateful for this forum.
Thanks much
Joyce

I am going to a new group of physical therapists this week, that specialize in pop. In fact, they carry Christine's book. Which is wonderful, yet, I'm not as disciplined as I would like to be to get results. And, am not sure if I'm doing things right. I asked many questions over the phone, and am very hopeful. These folks know musculoskeletal well. When I asked about kegels, I was told for some bodies yes, they are good, and for others, not. The PT says she can tell me when she works with my body.

I've also been told that yinqigong which is qigong for women's bodies can definitely help me with uterine prolapse. I believe energy can lift and move, etc. All over.

I notice at times, I'm extra careful with how I use my body - cuz, of this pop. I really miss more strenuous working out - yet, when my pop seems to worsen, I back off.

Keep on keepin' on. (:

Hi Joyce and Dreamer,

You can find my article, Why Kegels Don't Work, in the articles section in the Library. I won't be able to explain my perspective any better here than I did in the article.

While I am glad the PT group is carrying my book, I have to chuckle a bit at their "covering the bases". I would love to hear further explanation of why kegels work for some and not others. :)

Hey, give qigong a try...but watch the posture. I think all Eastern martial arts have as baseline a sort of crouching posture. Think kung-fu and you will know what I mean.

Christine

Christine and Dreamer,
Thank you both for your replies.
I have been studying qigong and there are some wonderful forms specific for our type of problems. In order to see if they work I must gather the discipline and time to just "do it". I also read the article on Why Kegels Don't Work and it makes most sense. I guess it is good western medicine is finally trying something besides surgery but sad they are so far off the mark. Just the fact that the Whole Body fascia is largely involved yet is not considered is disturbing. I know it is said over and over but truly this website and the active and supportive Forum is beyond valuable. It makes me know I can take responsibility for my body and get results. Thank you so much for your responses. I don't know what I'd do if I hadn't found this site.
Blessings,
Joyce