Co-Contraction

Proper co-contraction helps prevent injury.

The way we move is often the cause of our pain. In your mid-section, a complex series of muscle actions are necessary to get out of bed in the morning, get up from sitting, and other activities of daily living. Understanding these “co-contraction mechanics” helps to prevent low back injury and pain.

Dr. Craig Liebensen has studied co-contraction extensively, studying everything from local/deep muscle groups to global muscles that engage with all movement. He concluded:  “There are a wide range of superficial/global muscles that are large, cross multiple segments and do not attach directly to the vertebrae including rectus abdominis, external obliques and parts of the erector spinae. These muscles generate torque, act like guy ropes to control spinal orientation and work in co-contraction to control spinal motion in the application of external loads.”

Click here to find out more about Co-Contraction and core stability or watch the videos below.