There is so much more to the glutes than being seat cushions! They need to be strong and
supportive to keep us, especially us Minster back pain sufferers, walking, balanced, up-right.
Minster Chiropractic Center takes gluteal muscle strength seriously, particularly
the gluteus medius muscle, one of the foremost supportive
spine muscles along with the gluteus maximus, tensor fascia latae, lumbar
multifidus, external oblique, erector spinae, and rectus abdominus. So many
muscles, so little space to talk about them all. Your
Minster chiropractor is concentrating on the gluteal muscles
this month. The others will be discussed in the future.
FOCUSING ON WEAK GLUTEUS MUSCLES WITH SIDE PLANK OR BRIDGE
When supportive muscles are weak – gluteus maximus, gluteus
medius, multifidus and transverse abdominus – performing exercises
that strengthen those while not using others like the erector
spinae and tensor fascia latae is desired. Side
bridge while lifting the dominant leg is one exercise that demonstrated
its ability to be good to
activate the gluteal muscle over tensor fascia latae
muscle. (An aside: Back bridge exercise showed
itself beneficial in strengthening the multifidus muscle.) (1)
One variation of side plank is the side-sling plank.
Researchers explained that it enhanced gluteus
medius strength post-injury. Side-sling plank with hip
medial rotation demonstrated itself superior for
patients with gluteus medius weakness but stronger
tensor fasciae latae. (2) Side bridge exercises were described
to strengthen hip, trunk, and abdominal muscles in addition to being able to challenge trunk muscles without high lumbar compression, an
important item for back pain sufferers like those
Minster Chiropractic Center care for in our Minster chiropractic
office. Another variation that was described as being better than the others for strengthening a weak
gluteus medius muscle was the side bridge with knee flexion. (3) When glute
muscles are weaker than their surrounding muscles,
exercises focused on triggering the gluteus
max and gluteus medius without involving surrounding muscles like the tensor
fascia latae, etc., are key. One easy exercise that triggered
the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles while minimizing tensor fascia latae muscles was the clam
exercise. (4) With so
many different types of exercise possibilities, depend
on your Minster chiropractor to help isolate
which of your supportive muscles are weak and decide which
exercises - natrual parts of chiropractic care - are most beneficial in strengthening them.
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Krause on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses care of a patient with back
pain due to degenerative disc disease
who attained relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management that incorporated exercise.
Schedule your Minster chiropractic appointment
with Minster Chiropractic Center today. Don’t just sit on your weak glutes.
Strengthen them, so they can support you
best!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."