Core strengthening, sometimes called motor control exercise or core stability exercise, trains the deep muscles of the trunk. This page explains what it is, what the research shows, and when we use it at our clinic in Monkstown, Co. Dublin.
What is core strengthening?
The "intrinsic" or deep core muscles sit close to the spine and pelvis. They include:
- transversus abdominis, the deepest abdominal muscle
- multifidus, small muscles along the back of the spine
- the pelvic floor and the diaphragm
Core strengthening starts with learning to switch these muscles on gently and control them, then builds up to using them during everyday movements, lifting and exercise. Your physiotherapist will teach you exercises to do at home. We also have an exercise device that can guide these movements in the clinic.
What does the research show?
The research on core strengthening is mainly about long-term (chronic) low back pain.
- A Cochrane review found that, for long-term low back pain, motor control exercise helps more than minimal treatment. It works about as well as hands-on treatment and about as well as other types of exercise [1].
- Because no one type of exercise is clearly better than the others, the review's authors suggest choosing the type of exercise based on your preferences, cost and safety [1]. Other reviews have reached the same conclusion about exercise for back pain [2].
- NICE recommends exercise programmes for low back pain, without recommending one type over another [3].
So core strengthening is a reasonable choice for long-term low back pain, especially if it suits you, but it is not better than other good exercise. We have not found good evidence that it helps other conditions, such as problems in the arms, legs, neck or head. If we think it could still be useful as part of a wider exercise plan for you, we will explain that first.
How we use core strengthening
- For long-term low back pain, as one option within an exercise plan that suits you.
- Alongside other exercise, such as general strengthening and walking, rather than on its own.
- Reviewed at your sixth visit. We check your progress against your goals and change the plan if it is not helping.
Our clinic in Monkstown, Co. Dublin is led by Dr Lawrence Woods, a chiropractor with over 30 years' experience, and Kate Ryan, a CORU-registered Chartered Physiotherapist and member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP).
If you would like an assessment, you can book an appointment, start with our online questionnaire, or contact us with any questions. See also our low back pain page.
Sources
- Saragiotto BT, Maher CG, Yamato TP, et al. (2016). Motor control exercise for chronic non-specific low-back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD012004. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD012004
- Hayden JA, Ellis J, Ogilvie R, et al. (2021). Exercise therapy for chronic low back pain. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, CD009790. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD009790.pub2
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (2016, last updated 29 July 2026). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management (NG59). https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng59/chapter/Recommendations