The core goes through a variety of changes throughout our lifetime. You might become aware of this in many ways and start to compensate for it. A small abdominal protrusion may cause someone to puff up their chest. Stress can alter posture and lead to breathing patterns that raise the shoulders, adding tension through the upper back and neck.
Pregnancy, natural birth, caesarean section, gall bladder removal, cosmetic abdominal surgery, or major weight loss can all change how the abdominal wall feels and functions. Even when the tissue has healed, the core may not automatically return to its previous coordination.
Quick takeaway: Core dysfunction is not always about weakness. It can also involve breathing mechanics, pressure control, posture, and how the body coordinates support during movement.
How We Look at Core Dysfunction
When it comes to treating this type of dysfunction, we often look through the lens of Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization, or DNS. DNS is a neurodevelopmental technique based on developmental kinesiology and the neurophysiological changes that occur as we begin to move.
In care, we compare how a patient stabilizes in certain positions with how healthy infants naturally stabilize as movement develops. This helps us look beyond a single muscle and focus on how the whole system coordinates.
Why Intra-Abdominal Pressure Matters
One of the first things we look at is intra-abdominal pressure, or IAP, with proper alignment of the ribcage and pelvis. This is a soft brace created by breathing into the abdomen without over-engaging the abdominal muscles.
The goal is not a rigid abdomen like bracing for a punch. As the diaphragm contracts downward during inhalation, pressure should spread evenly in a 360-degree manner. This creates an eccentric contraction through the abdominal wall and helps support the body before bigger movements are added.
What We Want to See
- The abdominal region expanding with inhalation.
- The upper ribs rotating at the costovertebral joints, allowing chest expansion forward.
- The lower ribs rotating at the costovertebral joints, allowing chest expansion to the sides.
Creating better IAP is often the first thing we work on before progressing into other movements, because the entire body needs support before it can move efficiently.
Dysfunctional Core FAQ
Can surgery or pregnancy affect core function?
Yes. Tissue can heal while coordination, pressure control, and movement support still need retraining.
Should the abdomen feel rigid during core breathing?
No. The goal is a soft, supportive pressure that expands around the trunk, not a hard brace or bearing down.