OrthoIllinois Chiropractic Knows Well the Spine and Its Connections
Nerves. Discs. Muscles. The spine connects them all! And back pain is a complex condition often including all these elements. Your McHenry chiropractor at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic appreciates all of these spinal elements. Your McHenry chiropractor respects each of these spinal elements. Your McHenry chiropractor decreases McHenry back pain and neck pain related to these spinal elements with gentle chiropractic services and Cox® Technic at OrthoIllinois Chiropractic.
THE SPINE
The spine is the body’s support system. The spine unites everything! The spine’s bones – called vertebrae – connect ligaments, muscles and discs to make up this support system. 25 intervertebral discs are between each of the usual 33 vertebrae. Three parts form each disc – the gel-like, water/collagen-composed nucleus pulposus surrounded and held in place by the collagenous annulus fibrosus and two endplates on top and bottom that safeguard and allow nutrients into the nucleus. The disc keeps the spine flexible and strong. (1) Seemingly off-topic but really not as these findings show just how linked the spine is, more articles surface about the importance of diaphragm training for muscle relaxation like the hamstring muscles. In a recent study, this training is shown to increase the thickness of lumbar spine stabilizing muscles, transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. (2) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic is amazed by what diaphragm-focused treatment does for such muscles. It all goes back to how complexly the spine is designed and connected! Fascinating! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic enjoys taking care of McHenry chiropractic patients’ spines every day!
NERVES
Spinal nerves intertwine their ways throughout the spine, collecting and dispersing impulses from head to toe. The superior gluteal nerve winds its ways through the lower pelvis via the L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots in the sacral plexus. It innervates the gluteus medius, gluteus minimum and tensor fasciae latae muscles. If injured, it usually causes an unmistakable walking and standing gait due to the gluteus medius muscle paralysis it causes. (3) OrthoIllinois Chiropractic back pain patients know how touchy these spinal nerves are and so does OrthoIllinois Chiropractic.
MUSCLES
The spine depends on muscles to keep it together. The psoas muscle runs along both sides of the spinal vertebral column down to the pelvis. It’s deep and comes off the lumbar vertebrae, L1-L4, adjoining much more - the less trochanter of the femur, iliopsoas muscle, psoas major muscle, inconsistent psoas minor muscle, iliac fascia, iliacus muscle, and inguinal ligament – affecting postural function and having an effect on mood and stress disorders as a reason for low back pain. (4) The quadratus lumborum muscle is central to stability. Its deep, posterior, lateral and interior location around the spine often brings into question its contributing role in back pain. It’s an important part of the thoracolumbar fascia muscle system as it surrounds the iliac crest, the transverse processes of lumbar spine’s vertebrae and 12th rib. (5) The external oblique muscle is central to balance, maintaining the center of gravity, and stability. Notably, in a research study of women with chronic low back pain, stability exercises and balance exercises regarding the external oblique muscle increased erector spinae muscle activity and decreased pain and disability. (6) That’s why OrthoIllinois Chiropractic routinely recommends exercise to McHenry back pain patients as part of the chiropractic treatment plan. Don’t worry! OrthoIllinois Chiropractic ensures these are simple and helpful for you!
CONTACT OrthoIllinois Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lonny Skjervheim on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about chiropractic care of low back pain with leg pain together using Cox® Technic spinal manipulation.
