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As a physical therapy patient you may only have a vague understanding of why you are seeking out these particular treatments. Physical therapy is great but so much of what goes on in a PT office happens on pain you can’t even see. Muscles like your transverse abdominis action (TA) may sound like they are something important, but if you don’t know what they are or how they’re activated, how are you supposed to make them stronger? Here are some basic facts about the TA and what it does.

The transverse abdominis is actually the deepest of your abdominal muscles. Many think that the TA, along with the rectus abdominis, internal obliques, and external obliques make up your composite “core.” While that is superficially true, the TA and these other muscles do entirely different things.

The rectus and obliques are “global muscles.” They generate torque, oppose external forces and move the spine, pelvis and the the whole body.

Transverse abdominis – the deepest of your abdominal muscles.

The TA is a “local muscle.”  Local muscles have deep attachment to your lumbar spine. The transverse abdominis controls intervertebral motion and is used in functional tasks like the balance of deep and superficial muscles for overall body control and movement.

A good way to think about your TA is that it’s like your own internal corset; it holds everything in place and actually ‘wraps around’ your sides and your spine. Your TA is involved in nearly every move your body makes; this is the reason that your TA health is vitally important.

If you have unexplained lower back pain, your transverse abdominis action may be to blame. In order to fix your body you need to know what needs adjustment; this is one of the places what a physical therapist can really help. Miccass Physical Therapy has got a fully trained, professional staff who know what to look for when treating unexplained pain like that in the TA. Give us a call to set up an appointment today!

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