What muscles stabilize the spine and prepare the body for movement? When a signal is sent and translated to the trunk, the erector spinae and the rectus abdominis muscles produce voluntary movement, while the multifidus and transversus abdominus muscles provide core stability. The specificity of the fibers allows the multifidus muscles to stabilize the spine in almost infinite positions, keep the spine in proper alignment and prevent excessive spinal movement.

When we move from our core, our CNS recruits both the deep erectors and the transversus abdominus; as well as ancillary muscles. Sometimes the body learns compensatory movement patterns to protect injured muscles. If compensatory patterns are repeated often enough, they become habitual. For example, a basketball player who repeats the same drill day after day, always leading with the same foot and the same hand, will ingrain that movement into his memory. The player’s reflexes, repeatedly triggered, create habitual muscle contractions that become deeply involuntary and unconscious.

With deeply ingrained patterns, the CNS may bypass the deep stabilizing muscles and send movement messages directly to the superficial muscles. The resulting movement pattern may look much the same, but it is missing the element of core stability. Inhibition of core stability can make the difference when quick adjustments are needed. When the movement is inhibited, the memory of how to move freely is lost. The basketball player may find himself flat on his back, rather than still on his feet. Lack of core stability leads to more muscle imbalance, which in turn can be a precursor to injury. For example, an ankle sprain can lead to knee dysfunction and end up as low-back pain.