Are You Using Your Core the Right Way? (Most People Aren’t)

Are You Using Your Core the Right Way? (Most People Aren’t)

When you hear the word core, what comes to mind?

Probably sit-ups, planks, or a sweaty ab workout. But here’s the truth: your core is way more than just your “six-pack” muscles, and for many people, it’s not working the way it should.

If you’ve been doing all the right exercises but still feeling weak, unsteady, or even dealing with back or pelvic discomfort—you’re not alone. Most people don’t realise they’re not actually using their core muscles correctly, especially when it comes to the pelvic floor and deep abdominal muscles.

Let’s break down what’s going on—and how the right kind of help can make a big difference.

So… What Is “The Core,” Really?

Your core is like your body’s inner support system. It includes:

• The pelvic floor muscles

• The deep abdominal muscles (like your transverse abdominis)

• Your diaphragm

• And the deep muscles in your lower back

These muscles all work together to help you move safely, stay balanced, support your organs, and protect your spine.

But here’s the catch: if one part of the system is weak or not firing properly—like the pelvic floor—it can throw the whole thing off. And you may not even know it’s happening.

Common Signs You’re Not Using Your Core Effectively

• You brace or “suck in” your tummy when you exercise

• You feel pressure or heaviness in your pelvic area

• You leak when you laugh, cough, or lift

• Your back or hips often feel sore or tired

• You’ve had a baby and things just don’t feel the same

Sound familiar? These are signs that your pelvic floor or deep abdominal muscles might not be pulling their weight—or that your body just needs a little guidance on how to use them properly.

Why Core Awareness Is So Important

It’s not just about strength—it’s about coordination and connection.

Many people have never been shown how to properly activate their deep core muscles. Instead, they overuse the surface muscles (like the ones you can see), which don’t give the same support.

At Proactive Physiotherapy, our pelvic health physiotherapists help you tune into your body and learn how to gently and effectively switch on the right muscles. This is especially helpful if you’re dealing with:

• Abdominal muscle weakness after pregnancy or surgery

• Ongoing pelvic floor issues like leaking or pain

• A history of lower back pain or core instability

• Feeling unsure how to safely exercise your core

How We Help at Proactive Physiotherapy

Our approach is caring, private, and tailored to you. You’ll work with a qualified pelvic health physiotherapist who understands how the whole core system works—and how to get it back on track.

We’ll start by assessing how your deep abdominal and pelvic floor muscles are functioning. From there, we’ll guide you through gentle, evidence-based techniques to activate and strengthen them properly. We might even use Real-Time Ultrasound so you can see how your muscles are working—this is a game-changer for learning body awareness.

Our goal? To help you move better, feel stronger, and live with confidence.

You Deserve to Feel in Control of Your Body

Pelvic floor and abdominal muscle weakness is more common than most people realise. But the good news is—you can do something about it.

Whether you’re recovering from birth, dealing with nagging discomfort, or just want to feel stronger and more supported, we’re here to help.