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Adult Tummy Time 

Adult Tummy

Tummy time in infants is known to enhance posture and muscle strength. It also improves neurocognitive development and motor skills. So, this simple activity of lying on one’s stomach can lay the foundation for a robust individual. The good thing is that adoption of tummy time in adulthood can impart significant therapeutic benefits. Today we shall discuss how adult tummy time is beneficial for you!

What Is Adult Tummy Time? 

Adult tummy time is a way of improving muscle strength and posture. All you have to do is lie on your stomach and let gravity fix your body. Modern day chiropractors promote adult tummy time because of its health advantages. 

How To Do Adult Tummy Time? 

To do an adult tummy time, you need to follow these simple steps: 

  1. Lie on your stomach, preferably on the floor (or a bed). 
  2. Prop yourself up on the elbows to engage neck/back muscles effectively. 
  3. Slowly lift your legs off the ground to strengthen your core muscles.  

Benefits Of Adult Tummy Time  

  • Improved Posture – Postural issues are immensely frequent now, thanks to the widespread overuse of electronic devices (especially smartphones). Modern studies highlight the need for special attention to posture as the postural status in young adults is increasingly endangered. A simple way of fixing your deranged posture is adult tummy time. Individuals involved in long shifts, working on desks can reposition their posture to normal using this technique.  
  • Enhanced Spine Mobility – By restoring the normal curvatures of the spine, adult tummy time can increase the range of motion and spine flexibility in adults with rigid bodies. According to experts, tummy time works by activating your core muscles that stabilize the spine. Strengthening of these muscles eventually leads to better mobility.  
  • Pain Relief – Text neck is a modern day dilemma, thanks to prolonged usage of smartphones. Many seek medical care to heal this typical pain in their neck. However, you can fix this neckache with tummy time. Prone positioning in adults takes the strain of the cervical muscles which leads to evident improvements in neck and back pain.  
  • Better Body Mechanics – The foundation of all our problems is weak core muscles and abnormal postures. By restoring spinal curvatures and strengthening core muscles, tummy time allows you to reach a better level of body mechanics that helps you in day-to-day activities.  

Final Word 

Adult tummy time is similar to infant tummy time and is known to improve multiple aspects of the adult body. It strengthens the core muscles, improves the posture and enhances spine mobility. Thus, health professionals now frequently promote the adoption of tummy time in adults.  

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Top Secret Exercise For Back Pain

Back Pain

Did you know that most daily activities and sports put a lot of stress on your SI joint? The SI joint is the joint that is made up of the sacrum and ilium. We have one on each side of the spine and they easily move with walking, bending, twisting, and lifting. The joint is the cause of most low back pain and is the insertion point for most of the lumbar muscles. When the joint misaligns, the lumbar muscles will tighten up and cause limitation in twisting, bending, and lifting. Therefore, limiting full motion for golfers and pickle ball players.

Multiple core muscles work together to produce maximum stability in the abdominal and lumbar back region supporting the SI joint. Weak stomach or core muscles can throw off spinal alignment, balance, and place a strain on the back.

Jenny Sweat, our corrective exercise trainer has an awesome exercise to help strengthen the core and stabilize the SI joint. This exercise is called SI Joint Reset. All you need is a broom stick/handle.

Lying on your bed or the floor with a broom stick, put the broom stick under one knee and bring the other leg up ready to push into the stick. Take a deep breath and as you exhale, pull your belly button in towards your spine, press your spine against the floor or bed, and push one leg into the stick while the other leg is pushing down on the stick in the opposite direction. Exhale and hold for 8-10 seconds. This is an isometric contraction so you will not feel or see much movement.

You can then move the stick under the other knee and repeat, pushing the legs in opposing directions. Remember to exhale, draw your belly button in towards your spine and your spine into the floor/bed while you push your legs in opposing directions against the stick for 8-10 seconds.

Strengthen your core and reset your SI joint with this one simple and cool exercise. You can do this exercise daily or several times a week.

Jenny Sweat is a Corrective Trainer at Legacy Clinic. She has over 30 years experience and holds a masters degree in exercise science. Her focus is to provide specific training and exercises to help your body function better. If you are looking for unique and corrective personal training, contact Legacy Clinic and set up an evaluation with Jenny Sweat.