| It is nearly impossible to open a sports or fashion | | | | external oblique, the rectus abdominus, traverses |
| magazine without finding a model, athlete or | | | | abdominus and all off the muscles along the |
| celebrity showing off a part of their midriff; but | | | | human spine. Abdominal muscles or "abs" are |
| midsection musculature, more commonly known | | | | simply the muscles on the front of the abdominal |
| as "the core", provides much more than swimsuit | | | | wall. |
| confidence in summer months and enviable | | | | Degenerative diseases are often treated in the |
| magazine shots. A strong core represents the | | | | Illinois healthcare system. Lower back pain is a |
| powerhouse of our body and allows us to move | | | | common degenerative disease often caused by |
| through our daily routines without injury or pain. | | | | weak core strength. A strong core supports the |
| When a person exercises the core is what keeps | | | | spine from vertebrae to discs to joints. A weak |
| them stable. Can you imagine Lance Armstrong | | | | core increases joint stress and can lead to |
| climbing up the grueling hills of the French Alps | | | | herniated discs and arthritis. It is never too late or |
| without a strong center. But the core is also | | | | too early to start strengthening your core. This is |
| important in our daily activities from working at a | | | | why school age children and older adults alike are |
| desk for long hours to potting plants on the | | | | working towards a stronger core. |
| weekend. On an internal level, the core is what | | | | Many people in the Kankakee county hospital |
| guards internal organs and maintains proper spinal | | | | system engage in regular physical exercise. Core |
| positioning. When patients visit their general | | | | strengthening classes are offered with regularity |
| practitioner at one of the many hospitals in Il and | | | | at health clubs, community centers and retirement |
| complain of lower back pain, a weak core is | | | | communities in Illinois and across the United |
| commonly part of the problem. Patients with poor | | | | States. Many physical therapists use core |
| core strength are also more prone to injury. | | | | strengthening exercises as a part of their |
| Many people commonly confuse the terms "core" | | | | treatment for lower back pain and related |
| and "abs" since from visual standpoint alone, they | | | | ailments. Many yoga and Pilates courses center on |
| appear to represent the same area. This is not | | | | core strength and offer an alternative to |
| correct. The core consists of the internal and | | | | gym-style classes. |