Spinal stability is the base for spine
movement. Spinal stability protects the structures of the
nervous system, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve
roots. Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic assesses spinal stability in all our Montreal
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 smallest
spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Ligaments, bones,
and discs in the spine contribute to
all sorts of coupled motions of the spine and conduct
proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which coordinates
muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are injured
or otherwise in peril – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability
is feasible. (1) That’s where your
Montreal chiropractor comes into play with
chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan
incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic addresses spinal stability
with some usual exercise recommendations
and looks at the use of newer exercise approaches
like breathing that appear promising. 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 demonstrated 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)
Montreal 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 intertwined,
and both offer some hope in fixing spinal
stability issues. Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic came across some new studies on
how diaphragm training addresses spinal stability. In a study of rehabilitating athletes with nonspecific low back pain, adding
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 combatting Montreal back pain.
CONTACT Dr. Hoang's Chiropractic Clinic
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 Montreal
chiropractic appointment now.
Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way in helping
keep the spine stable, decreasing Montreal back
pain, and keeping the foundation of spinal movement intact.