McHenry Spine Stability Helped by Breathing and Diaphragm Training
Spinal stability is the base for spine movement. Spinal stability protects the structures of the nervous system, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve roots. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic evaluates spinal stability in all our McHenry 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 assorted parts of the spine figure into 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 transmit proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which coordinates 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 McHenry chiropractor comes onto the scene with chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan including exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic addresses spinal stability with some typical exercise suggestions 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 resulted in better increased spinal stability. As a breathing exercise to enhance spinal joint stability, it had a positive 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 enhanced trunk stability and activities of daily living in chronic low back pain patients. (3) McHenry back pain patients will appreciate 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 intertwined, and both offer some hope in fixing spinal stability issues. OrthoIllinois Chiropractic 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 helped improve 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 McHenry back pain.
CONTACT OrthoIllinois 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.
Set up your McHenry chiropractic appointment now. Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way towards keeping the spine stable, easing McHenry back pain, and keeping the foundation of spinal movement well conditioned.
