Core

 Core muscle groups

The core is a collection of muscles which stabilize and move the spine.

The inner core is comprised of the diaphragm, pelvic floor, multifidi, deep cervical flexors, and transverse abdominus. These muscles engage first during movement or breathing to protect the spine.

The outer core muscles are responsible for stabilizing and protecting the spine, but they also have more defined movement functions. The abdominals are the most well-known members of the outer-core.

Examples of major core muscle groups that respond well to motor nerve stimulation are:

• Abdominal - a group of 6 muscles extending from the ribs to the pelvis; including the transversus abdominis and the rectus abdominis

• Diaphragm - is a sheet of internal skeletal muscle that extends across the bottom of the thoracic cavity

• Erector spinae - a paired muscle that runs more or less vertically throughout the lumbar, thoracic and cervical regions, and lies in the groove to the side of the vertebral column

• Gluteal  - 3 muscles that make up the buttocks

• Obliques - external and internal muscles located at the side and front of the abdomen; small in size and often obscured by deposits of fat

• Pelvic Floor - muscles and tissue spanning the area underneath the pelvis