Spinal stability is the basis for spine
movement. Spinal stability protects the structures of the
nervous system, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka evaluates spinal stability in all our Sitka
back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability relies on strong, stable
musculature to perform its job. New research is indicating that the
role of the diaphragm and breathing is to support spinal stability.
SPINAL STABILITY
All the various parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the smallest
spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Bones, discs, and ligaments in the spine supply
all types of coupled motions of the spine and transmit
proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which manages
muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are damaged
or otherwise in peril – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is possible. (1) That is where your
Sitka chiropractor comes into play with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan
including exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka addresses spinal stability
with some typical exercise recommendations
and explores the use of innovative exercise methods
like breathing that appear promising. Maximal
abdominal contraction maneuver compared with maximal expiration exercise resulted in better increased spinal stability. As
a breathing exercise to increase spinal joint stability, it had a
positive effect on increasing co-contraction
and spine stability as demonstrated by significantly larger
muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis. (2) Forced
breathing exercise therapy improved trunk stability and
activities of daily living in chronic low back pain sufferers. (3)
Sitka back pain patients will value how something
they do every day – performed with just a little more thought
- may help them with their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately coupled,
and both offer some hope in tackling spinal
stability issues. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka came across some new studies on
how diaphragm training addresses spinal stability. In a study of the
rehabilitation of athletes with nonspecific low back pain, inserting
diaphragm training (breathing) to electrical stimulation therapy was beneficial
in improving function, stability, pain, and balance. (4) Diaphragm
training significantly decreased the severity of pain and also altered
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are helpful
in managing Sitka back pain.
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Lee Hazen and Cheri Hazen RN, ICHC, FNLP, LE, on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr.
Michael Johnson as they share their combined treatment approach
of breathing training and the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helped
a patient find back pain relief.
Make your Sitka
chiropractic appointment soon.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way in helping
keep the spine stable, decreasing Sitka back
pain, and maintaining the foundation of spinal movement well
conditioned.