Isometric Bracing Techniques – An Osteopaths Perspective

In the image below you will see one of Principle Four Osteopathy clients demonstrating bracing of the body where by there is an anterior bracing, posterior bracing and lateral bracing load.  The plank is a common anterior bracing exercise whereby ones anterior chain must work to hold this position against gravity.  A reverse plank or reverse bracing plank requires ones posterior chain to work to hold the body against gravity compared to a side plank whereby ones lateral chain must work to hold the body against gravity.  The lateral bracing exercise also requires one to maintain a stable trunk position without rotating.  One can look to challenge these exercises further by looking to increase levers i.e. move from short plank (elbows) to high plank (hands), move from 4 points of contact to 3 points of contact, increase duration of hold or perhaps add pertubation to the exercise through varying ones base of support or adding a need to react to changes in body position i.e. gentle push of ones body by someone else.

This blog post was written by osteopath Heath Williams of Principle Four Osteopathy. Principle Four Osteopathy is one of Melbourne City CBD leading Osteopathy clinics. At the clinic we treat a wide range of clients, ranging from the office worker, exercise enthusiast to athlete. We have 3 experienced osteopaths working across both of the clinics. The Melbourne City CBD clinic is located at 29 Somerset Place (basement), close to the corner of Elizabeth St and Little Bourke in the Melbourne City CBD. Our premises adjoin the Jon Weller Personal Training Studio, a fully-equipped training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials or specific training programs and rehabilitation. The Docklands clinic is located at 717 Bourke St (Ground Floor), beneath the Channel 9 building near the walkway from Southern Cross Train Station to Etihad Stadium. Our premises adjoin Pilates on Bourke, a fully-equipped pilates and yoga training space which allows clients to combine their osteopathy treatment with exercise tutorials, pilates or specific training programs and rehabilitation. To speak to an Osteopath or book an appointment at Principle Four Osteopathy, please book online or call 03 9670 9290.