HEALTHY LIVING Improve BY JUDY KOUTSKY G
ood posture and core strength are essential to health. Poor posture can lead
to chronic back pain and reduced mobility, while a weak core can contribute to balance issues and injuries. On the flip side, maintaining
a strong core and proper posture improves alignment, reduces strain on muscles and joints, and makes it easier to enjoy all the physical activities in your daily life. “I’ve seen how exercises
targeting posture and core strength are vital for maintaining health, especially as we age,” says Bryan Wright, a physical therapist and founder and CEO of Wright Physical Therapy. “Core stability is essential for
balance and overall functional strength. A strong core supports better posture and can prevent injuries as you age.” He explains that poor posture contributes to back pain, which affects daily functioning and is among the top reasons for emergency room visits.
STRENGTH Poor posture — such as slouching or hunching over — places undue stress on your muscles and spine. Over time, this can lead to musculoskeletal imbalances, chronic pain, and tension headaches. Your core, which includes the
muscles in your abdomen, lower back, pelvis, and hips, plays a critical
84 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | MARCH 2025
Core Strength and Posture
Make it easier to perform daily activities and reduce injuries. ::
role in stabilizing your spine and supporting functional movements like bending, lifting, and twisting. When we think about posture,
we tend to think of it as good or bad, but the reality is that there is a lot of in-between. “The posture you adopt when
you’re walking is different from the one you might have while you’re driving or the one you pick when riding your bike,” says Carrie Lamb, a physical therapist and founder of Connect Physical Therapy. So, the idea of “good” posture
is more gray than black and white. What an ideal posture feels like is the important piece. Imagine all of your bones and
joints being evenly supported without any sensations of fatigue or pain. You aren’t overworking any one area but creating a sense of balance and ease in the body. “Mind-body exercise, like
Pilates, that helps balance out the body, is an excellent way to understand what your body needs to find a more efficient posture,” says Lamb. “Noticing
side-to-side differences in flexibility or strength is a good way to start to address any issues you are having as a result of your posture,” says Lamb.
Exe L
amb often has clients use the reformer, a specialized piece of equipment for
Pilates exercises that facilitates movements and alignment. These same exercises can also be done on a mat on the foor. To strengthen your core
and improve posture, aim to perform these exercises two to three days a week as part of a ftness program that also includes 150 minutes a week of cardiovascular exercise, such as walking, swimming, or biking.
COUPLE ILLUSTRATION/AMR BO SHANAB /GETTY IMAGES / SKELETON/DESIGNER_THINGS©ISTOCK
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