Spinal stability is the foundation for spine
movement. Spinal stability protects the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Spine & Sports Rehab Center evaluates spinal stability in all our Baton Rouge
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 numerous parts of the spine play
a role in 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 conduct
proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which aligns
muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are damaged
or otherwise at risk – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is feasible. (1) That’s where your
Baton Rouge chiropractor comes onto the scene with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and an effective treatment plan
incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Spine & Sports Rehab Center addresses spinal stability
with some common exercise suggestions
and looks at 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 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)
Baton Rouge back pain patients will value how something
they do every day – performed with just a bit more purpose
- 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 fixing spinal
stability issues. Spine & Sports Rehab Center came across 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 affected
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are good
in combatting Baton Rouge back pain.
CONTACT Spine & Sports Rehab Center
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 Baton Rouge
chiropractic appointment now.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way towards keeping the spine stable, reducing Baton Rouge back
pain, and maintaining the foundation of spinal movement well
conditioned.