Spinal stability is the base for spine
movement. Spinal stability safeguards the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Vancouver Disc Centers evaluates spinal stability in all our Vancouver
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 play
a part in 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 types 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 damaged
or otherwise in peril – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is possible. (1) That is where your
Vancouver chiropractor comes into play with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan
incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Vancouver Disc Centers addresses spinal stability
with some typical exercise recommendations
and looks at the use of innovative exercise methods
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 increase spinal joint stability, it had a
beneficial effect on improving co-contraction
and spine stability as shown 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 patients. (3)
Vancouver back pain patients will appreciate how something
they do every day – done with just a bit more thought
- may ease their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately intertwined,
and both offer some hope in addressing spinal
stability issues. Vancouver Disc Centers 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, adding
diaphragm training (breathing) to electrical stimulation therapy was beneficial
in improving function, stability, pain, and balance. (4) Diaphragm
training significantly reduced 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 good
in tackling Vancouver back pain.
CONTACT Vancouver Disc Centers
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 Vancouver
chiropractic appointment today.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way towards keeping the spine stable, decreasing Vancouver back
pain, and keeping the foundation of spinal movement intact.