Okuzeka
Physiotherapy vocabulary · Exercise Therapy

Core stability

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

nounCommon term

In physiotherapy, core stability means: The ability of the deep muscles around the trunk and pelvis to control and support the spine while the arms and legs move.

In Turkish: gövde stabilizasyonu, core stabilizasyonu

How it is used

A popular term in back pain rehabilitation, Pilates and sport. Physiotherapists talk about core stability exercises or core strengthening, often involving the deep abdominal muscles, back muscles and pelvic floor. Its exact role in back pain is debated, so many treat it as one useful type of exercise among others.

Example sentences

  1. We'll start with some gentle core stability work lying on your back.

  2. Core stability exercises are part of her return-to-sport programme.

Common collocations

  • core stability exercises
  • core strength
  • core muscles
  • engage your core
  • low back painPain felt in the lower part of the back, between the bottom of the ribs and the buttocks, sometimes spreading into the leg.
  • postureThe position in which a person holds their body when sitting, standing or lying, especially the alignment of the head, shoulders, spine and hips.
  • tightenTo make a muscle work so that it becomes firm, often without moving the joint, as in the instruction 'tighten your thigh muscle'.
  • strengtheningExercise that makes muscles stronger by asking them to work against a load, such as body weight, an elastic band or weights.

More terms: Exercise Therapy

Practise with graded reading

Reading at the right level is the fastest way to make new words stick. Pick free English books by level:

This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.