Core strengthening has numerous benefits for an athlete’s fitness level and sports performance. The core muscles are the foundation of movement for the entire body, comprised of the abdominals, back muscles, diaphragm, hip muscles, and pelvic floor muscles. A physical therapist can assess an athlete’s core strength and design a core strengthening exercise program to enhance the strength, control, and endurance of their core muscles. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapy assistant Patti demonstrates several advanced core strengthening exercises on the blog.

Regular exercise is an essential component of healthy aging, helping seniors maintain independence and improve their physical and mental health. Exercise has numerous benefits for older adults, including improving muscle strength, building bone density, enhancing mobility and balance, and slowing age-related cognitive decline. Experts recommend that older adults engage in moderate-intensity aerobic exercise 150 minutes a week, strength train twice a week, and engage in weekly balance and flexibility training.

Hip impingement is a structural or mechanical disorder of the hip that involves a change in the shape of the surface of the hip joint, leading to stiffness, pain, and damage to tissue and bone. Hip impingement can result from excessive contact between the ball and socket of the hip joint, a structural variation in the shape of the bones of the hip, or changes in muscle length and activation at the hip. Physical therapy helps patients with hip impingement regain movement, flexibility, and strength in the hip and return to regular activities and sports safely through a hip strengthening and core stabilization exercise program.

Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapist and pregnant mom, Sarah, demonstrates 5 safe core strengthening exercises you can perform safely during pregnancy. Building a strong core during pregnancy can help you manage the demands of pregnancy on the body and minimize diastasis recti and other pregnancy symptoms. Strengthening your core during pregnancy not only helps support your pelvic organs as your baby grows and alleviates pressure on the back but can also help with the physical demands of labor.

Our November 2021 Newsletter highlights breast cancer-related lymphedema treatment, core strengthening exercises with our PTA Patti, managing diabetes with physical therapy for National Diabetes Awareness Month, and the fall kid’s toys donation drive.

Strengthening your core muscles has numerous benefits, allowing you to walk upright, maintain good posture, control your movement, and engage in daily work and sports activities. The core muscles are the foundation of movement for your entire body, stabilizing the spine, pelvis, and shoulder. A physical therapist can help you properly strengthen core muscles based upon the functional stability you need for various activities. Mangiarelli Rehabilitation physical therapy assistant, Patti Ciferno, demonstrates beginner core strengthening exercises you can do at home.  

Back pain is one of the most common reasons people seek physical therapy. Nearly 80% of Americans will experience back pain at some point in their life. However, there are numerous ways to support spinal health and prevent back pain, such as regular exercise, an ergonomic workspace, physical therapy, and proper lifting techniques. Check out our latest blog for our 10 Tips for a Healthy Back!

Your “core” is the foundation that keeps the body stable. It is a complex series of muscles extending beyond the abdominals to the entire trunk of the body. A strong core stabilizes your spine, allowing you to balance and dynamically change your movement. Physical therapists work with all patients to improve functional core stability to help prevent injury, maintain optimal alignment and posture, and avoid excessive stress on your joints.