​Muscle Activation Versus Strengthening 

Some women dedicate a lot of time to ab workouts, Kegels, crunches, and planks to build and strengthen the muscles of their core and pelvis. However, muscle strength is not always the problem when women experience issues such as diastasis recti and an unpleasant sexual experience. When it comes to pelvic dysfunction and core fitness, muscles that are too strong and tight may actually be responsible for the symptoms. What’s a girl to do with conflicting information like that? Well, we can help clear it up with a short discussion on the difference between muscle strength and muscle activation. 

Focusing on Strength  

Muscles work by contracting and relaxing repeatedly. The power generated in the movement of your limbs and other body parts comes from the transition from a state of contraction to relaxation. It’s easy when you exercise to put too much focus on specific muscles. Those muscles do the majority of the work, leaving others a chance to take a break. The same can happen with regular daily activity. Overcompensating in one area, say due to an injury, can cause you to overcompensate in another. Over time, those overused muscles do a disproportionate amount of the work. They become bigger and stronger while the sleepy ones become even sleepier, creating an imbalance. 

Muscle Activation is the Wakeup Call 

Sleepy muscles need to be reactivated so that they can get back to doing the work they were mean to do. But how? Physiotherapy is one way, with the help of a professional, to help you identify the inactive muscles and guide you through reactivation through the right type of movement and exercise. It’s hard work; there’s no doubt. Electromagnetic stimulation is an alternative that is faster and easier and even has some other added benefits. 

There’s an Easier Way 

High-frequency electromagnetic energy focused on a specific area is very effective at reactivating muscles. The energy penetrates the muscle and surrounding soft tissue, stimulating cycles of contraction and relaxation even in muscles that have been missing in action for a long time. The result is increased tone, elasticity, and blood flow to the muscles and surrounding tissues. When the muscles work better, your body works better. Treating your abdominal core with electromagnetic stimulation alleviates conditions like diastasis recti. In your pelvis, the muscles that prevent bladder leaks and pelvic organ prolapse are activated. No sweat or monotonous reps required! 

Want to learn more about muscle activation to improve pelvic fitness, eliminate annoying bladder leaks and get your abs back in shape? Book a consultation to talk about Libby Chair Pelvic Therapy (using BTL’s Emsella) and Venus Ab Rehab Therapy (Emsculpt) at Corelife Wellness.

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