Table 2 Sample cues and positions for early Multifidus and Transerse Abdominis activation
Multifidus Activation | |
|---|---|
Positions | Prone or on hands and knees (some people are better in 1 to start) |
Fingers on either side of spinous process; evaluation of different spinal levels from T1/T2 to T5/S1 | |
Cues | Try to swell muscle up into my fingers |
Think about tilting pelvis without actually doing it | |
Imagine tensing a cable from your pelvis up through your spine | |
Ideal Response | Symmetrical contraction |
No global muscle activation | |
Normal breathing | |
Able to hold 10 x 10s | |
Transverse Abdominis Activation | |
Positions | Start supine or crook-lying |
Find neutral pelvis | |
Place fingers slightly medial and inferior to ASIS | |
Cues | Try to pull your belly button down to the table |
Try to move your fingers together (medially) | |
Ideal Response | Gradual increase in tension; 10–15% effort |
Symmetrical contraction | |
No global muscle activation | |
Normal breathing | |
Able to hold 10 x 10s | |