Spinal stability is the basis for spine
movement. Spinal stability safeguards the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Minster Chiropractic Center assesses spinal stability in all our Minster
back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability depends on strong, stable
musculature to perform its job. New research is indicating that the
role of the diaphragm and breathing is to support spinal stability.
SPINAL STABILITY
All the assorted parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the smallest
spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Bones, discs, and ligaments in the spine provide
all sorts 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 injured
or otherwise in peril – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is possible. (1) That’s where your
Minster chiropractor comes into play with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan
incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Minster Chiropractic Center addresses spinal stability
with some usual exercise suggestions
and looks at the use of innovative exercise approaches
like breathing that appear promising. 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 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)
Minster back pain patients will value how something
they do every day – done with just a bit more purpose
- may ease their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately connected,
and both hold some hope in addressing spinal
stability issues. Minster Chiropractic Center 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, inserting
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 influenced
the thickness of active stabilizers - transversus abdominis, lumbar multifidus
muscle - in the lumbar spine. (5) Strong, thick spinal stabilizers are good
in managing Minster back pain.
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic 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 find back pain relief.
Schedule your Minster
chiropractic appointment now.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way in keeping the spine stable, easing Minster back
pain, and maintaining the foundation of spinal movement intact.