Core Strength Made Simple: Expert Physical Therapy Tips

Is back pain making standing tall more difficult? Have you noticed you don’t feel as balanced as you once used to? What’s the connection? These are both signs that may indicate core muscle weakness. At IMG Physical Therapy, our physical therapists can help you figure out if your core is affecting your condition and, if so, how to get it strong again!

Your core muscles help you do a lot — from sitting to standing to getting up and down from chairs. A strong core allows smooth, coordinated actions, thus impacting almost every activity you do every day. If your core muscles are weak, they may affect your function and possibly your pain levels.

It’s important to note that core muscles are not just important for physical fitness but are also essential to the overall quality of life. Our physical therapists understand the importance of core strength and will assess you to determine if it’s affecting your daily activities. With our expert guidance, you’ll learn how to engage your muscles in how they were designed to move!

What Is the “Core”?

When most people think of core muscles, they immediately think of the abdominals. However, the core muscles comprise the lower back, hip, pelvis, pelvic floor, and even the diaphragm muscle.

Significant weakness in the core will often lead to compensations and straining of different body areas, most commonly the back and neck muscles. As a result, this leads to undesirable consequences, such as poor posture, fatigue, or pain.

The muscles that make up your core are designed to help stabilize your body, support your posture, ensure your balance, and support movements in all directions. If any of these muscles are weak, injured, or used inappropriately, your trunk becomes unstable, making it difficult for your body to function correctly.

The core assists in almost every movement, from bending down to picking up an object to standing up straight. It also plays a significant role in breathing, lifting a heavy object, twisting your body, or even just walking. Core strength is also essential in sports performances, allowing the body to balance and control movements while running, jumping, and sustaining contact. A strong core enhances power, speed, coordination, and agility in all sports and recreational pursuits. It can also help reduce the risk of injuries and may help to prevent chronic lower back pain.

A strong core is vital to your overall health, functional movement, and athletic performance. Proper core training helps maintain spine health, ensures optimal performance in your daily life, and can help prevent various injuries.

A Note From Chris

Let’s Start Off Strong:

Welcome to 2026. This is the time when many people make their New Year’s Resolutions. Have you made yours yet? Any bets placed on how long you or a family member can keep to these resolutions? My personal one is going to be to try and get a little more sleep and to focus my morning exercise routine on my core. What is yours? Feel free to email or text us your resolutions!!!

Eric, Denise, Ruth, and the rest of the office staff want to thank you so much for all the trust you placed in us in 2025. We continue to look for new Providers (Therapists or Assistants) to help treat all of you. Eric and I had to turn time back 20+ years, running around the office like PTs in their 20s. We couldn’t be busier. The biggest issue we are having as an office is trying to make sure we can see all the patients who want to come for help. We had some amazing students who helped us treat many of you, and we are extremely grateful. That brings me to our Office New Year’s Resolution from last year: hiring 1-3 more Providers (Part-time or Full-time) in 2025. We brought back Andrea, one day a week, but she had an amazing surprise birth in November!!! It was great having her back in the office again, and we wish her many successes with her family going forward. We are back to the same staff issues again, but even more committed this year to this goal. Any and all help is appreciated. If you know any other therapists and they mention they are unhappy or wish they worked in a family atmosphere, please pass on our name. If we hire them and they give us your name, you will receive a free 15-visit laser package on us. That is a $750 value.

One of the best ways to start off anything strong is by starting with the core of the problem/issue/situation. The human body is no different. Not “All” things happen because of a weak core, but many things are the result of core imbalance. 80% of all shoulder problems are issues with the core muscles of the neck and mid-back. More than 50% of hip, knee, and ankle/foot problems are a result of the core. Many times, we have patients who come to us after “failing” therapy elsewhere. My first question is, “Did they look at and treat your core?” The answer is almost always, “No, why?” Let’s start off 2026 strong with our physical bodies. Let’s work on the core deficits we have, and if we are doing well with them currently, continue to work on them to prevent any future issues. If you are having any issues that you feel may be core-related, give us a call. Don’t let a small issue become a limiting issue.

Have a great 2026. Set a realistic resolution and have someone hold you accountable. Looking forward to seeing some of you again this year! Stop by and say hello. And if you know any therapists, pass on our name!