Spinal stability is the basis for spine
movement. Spinal stability protects the structures of the
nervous system, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn evaluates spinal stability in all our Ashburn
back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability relies 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 various parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the slightest
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 transmit
proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which aligns
muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are injured
or otherwise at risk – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is feasible. (1) That is where your
Ashburn chiropractor comes onto the scene with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and an effective treatment plan
including exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn addresses spinal stability
with some common exercise recommendations
and explores the use of innovative exercise methods
like breathing that are showing some promise. Maximal
abdominal contraction maneuver compared with maximal expiration exercise showed
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 sufferers. (3)
Ashburn back pain patients will appreciate how something
they do every day – done with just a bit more intention
- may help them with their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately coupled,
and both hold some hope in addressing spinal
stability issues. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn came across some new studies on
how diaphragm training manages 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 influenced
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are good
in tackling Ashburn back pain.
CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn
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.
Set up your Ashburn
chiropractic appointment soon.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way towards keeping the spine stable, reducing Ashburn back
pain, and maintaining the foundation of spinal movement well
conditioned.