Ultrasound imaging is useful as a biofeedback tool for ‘rewiring the brain’ or re-educating the proper recruitment of muscle contraction during both individual exercises and meaningful task training.
It is particularly useful for the muscles of the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor. Restoring the optimal sequence and pattern of activation of the core muscles (i.e. which muscle contracts when and in coordination with which other muscles) is called motor control core training. It is essential that one learns how to properly activate the core muscles (motor control training) prior to doing any strengthening exercises as you cannot strengthen a muscle that your brain does not know how to use!
Motor control training of the core muscles will teach you how to correct the pattern of activation such that the right muscles work at the right time. Following this early exercise training, you can then progress to more traditional exercises for core strengthening (gym ball work, bosu, planks, arm loading tasks etc).
Research has shown that in as little as 30 proper repetitions, your brain begins to remember the optimal way to use these muscles. Without this early motor control core training, your brain often continues to use the old faulty patterns that got you into trouble in the first place, thereby perpetuating pain and dysfunction.
Remember – motor control training comes before strengthening. Learn the proper muscle activation pattern first and then reinforce the pattern with lots of repetitions. Ultrasound imaging can expedite this learning curve.
See ‘Motor control core training vs. strengthening. What is the difference and why it matters‘ for more on this topic.
Related Practitioners
Cathy Rogers
Cathy received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of British Columbia in 2000. As a member of the varsity women’s volleyball team at UBC during those years she was first exposed to physiotherapy and it’s positive impact on her own personal athletic career.
Leigh Fortuna
After studying kinesiology in university for two years, Leigh decided that pursuing a career in physiotherapy was the path she wanted to follow. She graduated from The University of British Columbia in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy.
Eric Perkio
Eric has been practicing Physiotherapy since 2006. He received his Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney, Australia and began his career working in a private clinic where he gained valuable experience in working with Rugby, Soccer, and Aussie Rules Football clubs.
Judit Orban
Judit has a special interest in helping people with various spinal conditions such as back pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, chest conditions and spinal fusions.
Since graduating in 2010 from the Semmelweis University of Hungary, Judit has been working in various spine specific clinics around the world. She started dancing at a young age and after high school she completed a Contemporary Dance Teacher course. Learning about the capabilities of the human body influenced her to study more and to earn a degree in Physiotherapy
Sarah Hamanishi
Sarah received her Bachelor of Science with a minor in Nutritional Sciences at the University of British Columbia. She then pursued a Master of Physical Therapy degree, graduating in 2013 from UBC. Sarah has taken post-graduate courses for dry needling, rehabilitation Pilates, visceral and neuromeningeal manipulation, and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
Cheri Le Cappelain
While working as a nurse Cheri saw the importance of physiotherapy on the rehabilitation ward to help patients regain their independence. As a result of these positive experiences she decided to go back to school to become a physiotherapist so she could have a more direct role in rehabilitation and help others regain their independence. Cheri graduated in 2018 with a Doctor of Physiotherapy from the University of Melbourne in Australia.
