SERVICES

Core Rehab

At the centre of the complicated system that is the human body lies one of the most crucial areas: the aptly named core. When we think of our core, images of washboard abs and toned stomachs often come to mind. However, many aren’t aware that your core makes up so much more of your body and is intricately connected to the rest of it. That’s why core fitness (and in the case of injuries, core rehabilitation or core physiotherapy) is one of the best ways to increase your strength and power, decrease your chance of injury or reinjury and improve mobility across the board.

The significance of core strength goes far beyond cosmetics. This muscle group is almost solely responsible for supporting two other important parts of your body: your spine and your pelvis. Without these three parts working in harmony, we wouldn’t be able to tie our shoes, stand up straight, or even get out of bed.

How can core rehab help me?

People turn to core strengthening and rehab programs to address a huge variety of problems and conditions. Thanks to the interconnectedness of this particular area, many observable symptoms can be traced back to a root issue in the core. Some of the most common issues that are treated with core rehab are:

From degenerative disc disease, to chronic pain, to arthritis, many back and neck problems can be treated through core rehab. Without the core muscles in the front and back of our body, our spines would be completely unsupported, and in turn wouldn’t be able to support the rest of the body. By strengthening these muscle groups, you’ll have a larger and easier range of motion in all directions, allowing you to get back to regular life without constant pain or stiffness.

Back problems of all kinds

The pelvis is a vital part of our body’s overall structure, and yet it’s often overlooked by people looking to pinpoint a cause for ongoing or acute health problems. If the spine is the vertical column that holds us upright, the pelvis is the horizontal support beam that bears the weight of our bodies. Its primary function is to take the weight of our upper bodies when sitting, and transfer that weight to our legs when standing. When your core muscles are weakened, they can’t support your pelvis as effectively, often leading to pain or instability. Because of this, core physiotherapy can be very effective for people dealing with pain in the hips, legs, or lower back, all of which can stem from pelvic malalignment or instability.

Pelvic Instability or Injury

The pelvic floor—flexible layers of muscle and ligaments—acts as the literal floor for many of your internal organs to rest on at the base of the pelvic basin. It’s yet another vital part of the pelvis, and one that can become weakened in a variety of ways, such as pregnancy and childbirth, aging, menopause, hormonal changes, obesity, long-term smoking, or chronic coughing. When the pelvic floor becomes tight, weak or damaged, it can lead to a multitude of health issues, including:

Bladder incontinence, or leakage of urine
Bladder, uterine or bowel prolapse, a painful condition caused by downward pressure pushing the organ down into the vagina due to poor ligamentous and muscular support.
Increased risk of complications in labour and delivery.
Problems with blood-flow, or painful sex.

Rehab for the pelvic floor

When a woman is pregnant, their body will produce a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes the ligaments in order to make space for the growing baby and the delivery. At the same time, this hormone can actually loosen the joint connections between the bones of your pelvis, causing it to become misaligned and sometimes painful. Core rehabilitation can strengthen the muscles surrounding the pelvis, providing more support and reducing pain and the risk of the injury.

Pelvic rehabilitation after pregnancy

This is a condition where the rectus abdominis muscle separates at the linea alba, allowing intestines to bulge out in between the muscle gap. It’s very common for females to experience this painful condition during or after pregnancy, since their abdomens stretch out to accommodate their baby. However, it can happen to anyone, including males and children. It can sometimes be caused by improper core activation patterns, breath holding, weight gain, or certain unsafe ab workouts. Education and core training can help to gently activate the deeper core muscles while breathing to strengthen and reconnect these muscle groups, to prevent the outward pressure thereby reducing pain and correcting the condition.

Diastasis recti

From degenerative disc disease, to chronic pain, to arthritis, many back and neck problems can be treated through core rehab. Without the core muscles in the front and back of our body, our spines would be completely unsupported, and in turn wouldn’t be able to support the rest of the body. By strengthening these muscle groups, you’ll have a larger and easier range of motion in all directions, allowing you to get back to regular life without constant pain or stiffness.

Back problems of all kinds

The pelvis is a vital part of our body’s overall structure, and yet it’s often overlooked by people looking to pinpoint a cause for ongoing or acute health problems. If the spine is the vertical column that holds us upright, the pelvis is the horizontal support beam that bears the weight of our bodies. Its primary function is to take the weight of our upper bodies when sitting, and transfer that weight to our legs when standing. When your core muscles are weakened, they can’t support your pelvis as effectively, often leading to pain or lack of mobility. Because of this, core physiotherapy can be very effective for people dealing with pain in the hips, legs, or lower back, all of which can stem from pelvic malalignment or instability.

Pelvic weakness or injury

The pelvic floor—flexible layers of muscle and ligaments—acts as the literal floor for many of your internal organs to rest on at the base of the pelvic basin. It’s yet another vital part of the pelvis, and one that can become weakened in a variety of ways, such as pregnancy and childbirth, aging, menopause, hormonal changes, obesity, or longtime smoking. When the pelvic floor becomes tight, weak or damaged, it can lead to a multitude of health issues, including:

Bladder incontinence, or leakage of urine
Bladder, uterine or bowel prolapse, a painful condition caused by downward pressure pushing the organ down into the vagina due to poor ligamentous and muscular support.
Increased risk of complications in labour and delivery.
Problems with blood-flow, or painful sex.

Rehab for the pelvic floor

When a woman is pregnant, their body will produce a hormone called relaxin, which relaxes the ligaments in order to make space for the growing baby and the delivery. At the same time, this hormone can actually loosen the joint connections between the bones of your pelvis, causing it to become misaligned and sometimes painful. Core rehabilitation can strengthen the muscles surrounding the pelvis, providing more support and reducing pain and the risk of the injury.

Pelvic rehabilitation after pregnancy

This is a condition where the rectus abdominis muscle separates at the linea alba, allowing intestines to bulge out in between the muscle gap. It’s very common for females to experience this painful condition during or after pregnancy, since their abdomens stretch out to accommodate their baby. However, it can happen to anyone, including males and children. It can sometimes be caused by improper core activation patterns, breath holding, weight gain, or certain unsafe ab workouts. Education and core training can help to gently activate the deeper core muscles while breathing to strengthen and reconnect these muscle groups, to prevent the outward pressure thereby reducing pain and correcting the condition.

Diastasis recti

Join my core rehab program

As you can see, there’s no shortage of applications for core rehab and physio. If you’re experiencing any of the above issues, you’ve likely been overwhelmed with the amount of treatment options on the market. With so many possibilities, why choose core rehab and why do it at ProActive Pilates?

In my more than twenty years of experience as a physiotherapist, Stretch Therapy instructor, national-level athlete, and Pilates instructor, I’ve come to appreciate how incredibly intertwined the core is with the rest of the body. I’ve had the privilege of helping countless people not only get to the bottom of what’s causing their symptoms, but working to overcome them.

When my clients take back control of their physical strength, I get to watch them access a completely new outlook and way of life. The moment when you’re free of chronic pain, and your body is able to simply and easily do everything you want it to, is one of the most incredible senses of freedom there is.

When you work with me as your physiotherapist and core rehab specialist, I always begin with an initial assessment. I take the time to do this with every client so I can understand the issues that brought you here, your medical history, and your strength and rehab goals for the future. Once we’ve determined the source of your issues, we can work together to develop a treatment plan that’s customized to your needs, abilities and goals. From there, we get to work on our chosen program, making adjustments where necessary to accommodate you at all times.

Note that a physiotherapy receipt is given at each of my treatments, which may be reimbursed by your extended benefit plan. Please double-check with your specific benefit plan to determine your eligibility.

If you’re ready to move past pain, weakness, and limited mobility, I can help, whether you’re a recent mother, an injured athlete, or just someone looking to get back to their regular physical life.

To learn more about core physiotherapy and rehabilitation, contact me. Or if you’re ready to book an initial assessment, click the button below to get started.

Core Rehab

Core Rehab

How can core rehab help me?

Join my core rehab program

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