Spinal stability is the basis for spine
movement. Spinal stability protects the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Apple Country Chiropractic evaluates spinal stability in all our Williamson
back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability depends on strong, stable
musculature to do its job. New research is pointing to the role of the diaphragm
and breathing in supporting spinal stability.
SPINAL STABILITY
All the numerous parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the slightest
spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Bones, discs, and ligaments in the spine contribute to
all types of coupled motions of the spine and transfer
proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which manages
muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are hurt
or otherwise in peril – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is possible. (1) That’s where your
Williamson chiropractor comes into play with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and an effective treatment plan
incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Apple Country Chiropractic addresses spinal stability
with some typical exercise recommendations
and explores the use of innovative exercise approaches
like breathing that are showing some promise. Maximal
abdominal contraction maneuver compared with maximal expiration exercise proved
itself better at increasing spinal stability. As
a breathing exercise to enhance spinal joint stability, it had a
beneficial effect on increasing co-contraction
and spine stability as demonstrated by significantly greater
muscle thickness of the transverse abdominis and rectus abdominis. (2) Forced
breathing exercise therapy enhanced trunk stability and
activities of daily living in chronic low back pain patients. (3)
Williamson back pain patients will value how something
they do every day – done with just a little more purpose
- may ease their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately connected,
and both offer some hope in fixing spinal
stability issues. Apple Country Chiropractic found some new studies on
how diaphragm training addresses spinal stability. In a study of rehabilitating athletes with nonspecific low back pain, inserting
diaphragm training (breathing) to electrical stimulation therapy was helped improve function, stability, pain, and balance. (4) Diaphragm
training significantly decreased the severity of pain and also influenced
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are good
in combatting Williamson back pain.
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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 describe their combined treatment approach
of breathing training and the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helped
a patient find back pain relief.
Schedule your Williamson
chiropractic appointment today.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way in helping
keep the spine stable, easing Williamson back
pain, and keeping the foundation of spinal movement well
conditioned.