Spinal stability is the base for spine
movement. Spinal stability safeguards the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Chiropractic Care assesses spinal stability in all our West Palm Beach
back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability relies on strong, stable
musculature to perform its job. New research is pointing to the role of the diaphragm
and breathing in supporting spinal stability.
SPINAL STABILITY
All the assorted parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the smallest
spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Ligaments, bones,
and discs in the spine supply
all sorts of coupled motions of the spine and conduct
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 is where your
West Palm Beach chiropractor comes onto the scene with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan
including exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Chiropractic Care addresses spinal stability
with some typical exercise recommendations
and explores the use of newer exercise methods
like breathing that are showing some promise. 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 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 sufferers. (3)
West Palm Beach back pain patients will value how something
they do every day – performed with just a little more purpose
- may help them with their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately connected,
and both offer some hope in tackling spinal
stability issues. Chiropractic Care found 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 helped improve function, stability, pain, and balance. (4) Diaphragm
training significantly decreased the severity of pain and also affected
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are helpful
in managing West Palm Beach back pain.
CONTACT Chiropractic Care
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 realize back pain relief.
Schedule your West Palm Beach
chiropractic appointment soon.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way in keeping the spine stable, easing West Palm Beach back
pain, and maintaining the foundation of spinal movement intact.