Richmond Spine Stability Helped by Breathing and Diaphragm Training
Spinal stability is the base for spine movement. Spinal stability protects the nervous system structures, the spinal cord, and spinal nerve roots. Johnson Chiropractic evaluates spinal stability in all our Richmond back pain patients as part of our chiropractic service. Spinal stability relies on strong, stable musculature to perform its job. New research is pointing to the role of the diaphragm and breathing in supporting spinal stability.
SPINAL STABILITY
All the numerous parts of the spine contribute to spinal stability, even the slightest spinal motion segment’s vertebra (the bony part of the spine). Ligaments, bones, and discs in the spine provide all sorts of coupled motions of the spine and transfer proprioceptive impulses to the central nervous system which manages muscle tone, movement, and reflexes. If any of the spinal structures are injured or otherwise at risk – like a degenerated disc – spinal instability is feasible. (1) That’s where your Richmond chiropractor comes onto the scene with chiropractic spinal manipulation and a helpful treatment plan incorporating exercise.
BREATHING TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Chiropractic care at Johnson Chiropractic addresses spinal stability with some usual exercise recommendations and explores the use of innovative exercise approaches like breathing that appear promising. 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 demonstrated by significantly greater 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) Richmond back pain patients will appreciate how something they do every day – done with just a bit more thought - may help them with their back pain!
DIAPHRAGM TRAINING IN SPINAL STABILITY
Certainly, breathing and the diaphragm are intimately coupled, and both offer some hope in addressing spinal stability issues. Johnson Chiropractic found some new studies on how diaphragm training manages spinal stability. In a study of the rehabilitation of athletes with nonspecific low back pain, inserting diaphragm training (breathing) to electrical stimulation therapy was helped improve function, stability, pain, and balance. (4) Diaphragm training significantly decreased 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 helpful in tackling Richmond back pain.
CONTACT Johnson 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 share their combined treatment approach of breathing training and the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management helped a patient realize back pain relief.
Set up your Richmond chiropractic appointment today. Breathing and diaphragm training go a long way towards keeping the spine stable, reducing Richmond back pain, and keeping the foundation of spinal movement well conditioned.
