Treatment and Solutions

Pilates and Pelvic/Lumbar Stabilization Programs

What is The Goal of Core Stabilization?

A stable pelvis creates a stable lumbar spine. The pelvis connects to the lumbar spine and acts as a base. When this foundation becomes unstable it causes the lumbar spine to rotate and bend to putting pressure on the discs.

The goal of core stabilization is to train the pelvic muscles to work in a coordinated fashion. Very often, however, some of the core musculature becomes weak or inhibited while other stabilizing muscles around your core become tight or overworked. This imbalance is what causes dysfunctional movement patterns, pain and injuries.

Figure 1

What is my "Core?"

The "core" is comprised of 29 pairs of muscles that create a box (see figure 1). The front of the box is the abdominals and the back of the box is the Paraspinal and the Gluteus or buttock muscles. Often people concentrate on just these muscles forgetting that there is a top and bottom to the box. The box top is the diaphragm muscle which incorporates breathing and the bottom of the box is the pelvic floor and the hip musculature. Together these muscles work together to produce stability. It is important to learn to effectively co-contract these muscles in a coordinated fashion with arm and leg movements to prevent pain and dysfunction.

Pilates and Lumbar/Pelvic Stabilization

Programs at

Abramson Physical Therapy PLLC

The Pilates exercise method was created by Joseph H. Pilates in the 1920s. The technique is based on a series of controlled movements engaging your mind and body to help engage and strengthen your core musculature. It is a unique practice because it incorporates body awareness, muscle strengthening, postural alignment and flexibility. It therefore will ease the movement of the the trunk, pelvis, shoulder, and buttock for a full body workout. Each patient at Abramson Physical Therapy PLLC is given an individualized core strengthening program to maximize their potential and return to the activities they love.