If you want to ward off or ease lower back pain or build up your balance and stability to prevent falls, you need to strengthen your core. Stronger muscles in the trunk of your body will also give you more power for sports like running, swimming or golfing. A strong, flexible core also makes everyday activities like bending, turning and reaching easier so that housework and gardening don’t cause muscle strain/pain.
Your core — which includes back, side, pelvic, and buttock muscles — forms a sturdy central link between your upper and lower body. Much like the trunk of a tree, core muscles need to be strong, yet flexible. A weak or inflexible core impairs how well your arms and legs function, draining power from many of the moves you make. For these reasons, core fitness plays a critical part of every comprehensive exercise program.
How can you get started? Take a yoga class, which offers lots of core-strengthening moves. For more on exercises to strengthen your core, see a slide show at http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/fitness/multimedia/core-strength/sls-20076575?s=12
Check out the online health assessment tool called Family Health Manager at www.riverwoodhealthcare.org Family Health Manager is an interactive tool that offers you personalized health and wellness options. At no cost, anyone can learn their health score, connect to local resources and create goals in support of healthy living. You can also understand and track key numbers important for overall health. Family Health Manager provides actionable steps to maximize health in key areas such as well-being, activity, sleep, nutrition and pain management. To get started, go to https://health.riverwoodhealthcare.org/fhm
Looking for wellness information? Visit the wellness page on Riverwood’s website. This is a one-stop source of information on both Riverwood wellness resources, such as services and education, and Community wellness resources with info on classes, programs, recreational opportunities and more.