Old Mill Chiropractic Knows Well the Spine and Its Connections
Nerves. Discs. Muscles. The spine connects them all! And back pain is a complex condition often involving all these components. Your St Peters chiropractor at Old Mill Chiropractic values every one of these spinal elements. Your St Peters chiropractor pays great attention to each of these spinal elements. Your St Peters chiropractor decreases St Peters back pain and neck pain connected to these spinal elements with gentle chiropractic services and Cox® Technic at Old Mill Chiropractic.
THE SPINE
The spine is the body’s support system. The spine unites everything! The spine’s bones – called vertebrae – link ligaments, muscles and discs to form this support system. 25 intervertebral discs are between each of the typical 33 vertebrae. Three parts comprise 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 protect and allow nutrients into the nucleus. The disc gives the spine its flexibility and strength. (1) Seemingly off-topic but really not as these findings demonstrate just how linked the spine is, more articles emerge 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) Old Mill Chiropractic is amazed by what diaphragm-focused treatment does for such muscles. It all reflects on how complexly the spine is created and connected! Interesting! Old Mill Chiropractic enjoys working St Peters chiropractic patients’ spines every day!
NERVES
Spinal nerves intertwine their ways in the spine, collecting and dispersing impulses from head to toe. The superior gluteal nerve makes its ways through the lower pelvis by the L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots in the sacral plexus. It innervates the gluteus medius, gluteus minimum and tensor fasciae latae muscles. If damaged, it usually causes an unmistakable walking and standing gait because of the gluteus medius muscle paralysis it produces. (3) Old Mill Chiropractic back pain patients understand how touchy these spinal nerves are and so does Old Mill Chiropractic.
MUSCLES
The spine depends on muscles to maintain its connections. The psoas muscle passes along both sides of the spinal vertebral column down to the pelvis. It’s deep and originates at the lumbar vertebrae, L1-L4, attaching to 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 essential 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 encircles 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 reduced pain and disability. (6) That’s why Old Mill Chiropractic routinely suggests exercise to St Peters back pain patients as part of the chiropractic treatment plan. Do not worry! Old Mill Chiropractic ensures these are easy and helpful for you!
CONTACT Old Mill Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lonny Skjervheim on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about chiropractic treatment of low back pain with leg pain together using Cox® Technic spinal manipulation.
