Mom jeans may not be needed afterall....

On many accounts, having to go to Physical Therapy is a blessing in disguise. The biggest reason is that I am learning so much about the body and the tiny nuances that can make a difference in our physical well-being.


Yesterday, I learned about a muscle that is way down deep in my lower abdomen. Before I go any further, let me tell you, I never thought I would ever possess lower abdomen strength (just not in my genes) and I have resolved to the fact that my lower abs are always going to be a little poochy and I was going to be one who puts the "mom" in mom jeans.


Apparently, I may not have to wear mom jeans after all it is said and done...


My Physical Therapist had me lie down lengthwise on a foam roller and had me activate my abs. So I do-I tightened what I thought were my well earned swimmer's ab muscles.


"No, not those, she tells me, activate your lower abs." 


"Um, what? I don't know if I have those." Is my response. I thought really hard and tried to have my brain talk to this unknown region of my body. "I can't find them," I tell her.


She then tells me to activate the area around my "pee muscles." Ok, I know what those are.


Once I found these long lost muscles,  I then had to do some exercises on the foam roller where I lifted up my legs only by activating this hard to find muscle group. She said we are all taught to muscle through our workouts and focus on the six pack of abs but there are actually several layers of abdomen muscles. This particular group I was working is what supports the spine and protects it from, ahem, injury.


I am almost rolled off the roller many times as I tried to do this exercise-and found activating this muscle incredibly hard....and very humbling.


So, what is this muscle group?
This lower ab area is called the transverse abdominis. This area supports the spine. 







(photo source: www.belmartpt.com)


If you are sitting at your desk right now, which you probably are, try to activate that muscle-contract for about a minute or so, just to get it activated. And when you do your next workout or walk, think about that muscle again. The beauty of this muscle is that simple contractions can help strengthen this area, thus protecting your lower back.


I would like to write about exercises one can do for this area, but I want to do some research on these and then make some recommendations.


In the meantime, happy contracting!