The abdominal skeletal muscles extend from the lower edge of the anterior rib cage to the upper reaches of the frontal pelvic bones. They overlie each other in layers. Their effectiveness is augmented further by the crisscrossing orientation at the different levels. Lateral extension covers the sides.
These fibers provide many services to enhance our well-being. When they are treated properly, overall health I improved. Like everything else in the body, muscle tissue requires frequent attention and conditioning to operate optimally.
Strong abdominal muscles support the spine. This limits the harmful effects of gravity on the cartilage tissue that cushions between the vertebrae. The back muscles that connect these bones serve more to stabilize than support. Walking, standing, jumping, running, and other typical activities of upright posture (the normative human stance) adversely affect the cartilage. Over time, there is loss of volume, buffering capacity, and strength. The result is back pain, sciatica, nerve disorders from local irritation as these fibers exit the spinal cord, arthritis, spinal stenosis, and other morbidities. Strong and toned anterior musculature helps to prevent these conditions.
The act of daily strengthening the abdominal muscles can make one mindful to maintain proper posture. Sitting and standing upright, with lower back curvature and chest prominence, can work to lessen the ravages that develop from a chronically stooped stance. It may also remind one to practice deep breathing exercises to slow the loss of lung volume that occurs with aging.
This anterior barrier protects the many organs that reside in this core part of the human anatomy. Being upright, the liver, spleen, and intestines are vulnerable to injury from the front. This brawny tissue represents an obstacle to damage.
Another advantage furnished by these muscles is to massage the intestines. The stomach, 20 feet of small bowel, and about 6 feet of large intestine move against this ventral wall. Greater power and density in this anterior structure is associated with more efficient functioning of the intestinal musculature. The effect is to improve greater digestive health, which benefits health in general.
Strong muscles stimulate the local arteries to become thicker, wider, and more numerous. Hence, blood flow in the central core of the body is more efficient and higher volume. Because all the blood passes through this area traveling from top to bottom and back, general circulation is improved.
Being the integrated organism that it is, the human body operates sympathetically with itself. This means that neighboring tissues benefit with improvement in the abdominal muscles. Therefore, when the blood flow is made more vigorous in these fibers, there is a complementary enhancement in the internal organs. The liver, spleen, gallbladder, intestines, and celiac blood vessels all develop more efficient and robust local circulation.
The outcome of better blood flow throughout the body is a healthier person. Heightened accessibility to the nutrients and oxygen in the blood prevents illness, promotes health, increases resistance to diseases, and facilitates healing.
Everybody talks about strengthening the core. And now you know why. Go to it.
Health and Spirit by Dr. Jack Zoldan 