Abdominal exercises are used to strengthen the abdominal area so that the burden of body support is not left to the spine.  Doctors sometimes recommend that the sufferer exercise the rectus abdominis, external oblique, internal oblique, and transversus muscled in order to prevent back and future muscle strain.

There are three types of abdominal exercises that support the spine:

Extension of the back and gluteal muscles.  This group of muscles is used to straighten the back (crouching to standing position) as well as lift, extend and abduct the hip (move the thigh away from the body.)

Flexing of the abdominal and iliopsoas muscles. This group of muscles bends and supports the spine from the front. They also control the arch of the lumbar (lower) spine and adduct the hip (move the thigh in toward the body).

Flexing of the Obliques or Rotators (side) muscles. These muscles stabilize the upright spine.  These muscles are rotated during exercise to help maintain proper posture and spinal curvature.

Exercises for abdominal pain do not have to be complex. These muscles are exercised in everyday life.  For example, the gluteal abdominal muscles are used each time we climb a step.

Inadequately exercised stomach muscles cause a tendency towards back pain. An exercise program that strengthens the abdominal muscles might be necessary as a preventative measure as research has shown that the back and stomach muscles show a natural tendency to weaken with age.

 

Arthritis is a common cause of back pain. Arthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joints is worn down as a result of wear and tear, aging, injury or misuse.

Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is caused loss of cartilage, overgrowth of bone and the formation of bone spurs. This causes the bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling and loss of motion of the joint.

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint but most often occurs in the hips, knees, hands or the spine.

In the spine, osteoarthritis can cause stiffness and pain in the neck or in the lower back. Cervical arthritis (also called cervical spondylosis) affects the upper spine and neck. Lumbar or lumbosacral arthritis affects the lower back and pelvic area.

The earlier arthritis is diagnosed, the more steps can be taken to reduce the likelihood of disability in the future.
 

Eighty percenty of the general population will experience Back Pain at one stage in their life. Fortunately, ninety percent of back pain sufferers recover completely within six weeks. For the remaining ten percent, back pain can be a frustrating, costly and painful experience.  Serious back pain is usually the result of a lower back injury.

Back pain is often difficult to diagnose as muscle spasms from a very simple back strain can cause such serious effects as an inability to walk or stand. Very often the severity of the pain is actually not as severe as the damage present. Equally, one can function with a herniated disc for years and not feel any pain at all.

In order for your Health Professional to make a correct diagnosis, he or she must determine whether or not the pain is caused by less serious problems such as an injury to the muscle ligament or tendon or more serious problems such as a bone fracture, tumor or infection of the spinal fluid.
 

There are two ways to get medications that can be helpful in relieving chronic back pain, the over-the-counter (non-prescription and less strong) and prescription based.

Ergonomic back support products can help relieve strain on the back and minimize back pain. Well designed chairs and chairs with an adjustable back support can take a load off the spine. Portable lumbar supports can assist the back pain sufferer in office situations or whilst driving.

Without lumbar back support, it's more difficult to maintain the correct posture. Over time the tired muscles that are strained by uncomfortable seating positions tend to become weak. This causes the head and upper back to lean forward to compensate for the weak lumbar muscles.

A good lumbar back support product can relieve back muscles of the responsibility of having to keep the spine naturally curved. This support is especially important when seated for a long period.
 

As it is so risky, surgery on the back and spine is almost always an elective procedure. The decision to have back surgery is almost always determined by the patient who may feel that life is no longer worth living because of extreme back pain.
Usually an orthopedic surgeon performs back surgery unless a tumor is present. Then a neurosurgeon may recommend surgery as well as perform the procedure.  In some cases a neurosurgeon and an orthopedic surgeon may consult together on a case of back pain that has a complex history or pathology.
 

A bone scan is sometimes recommended to rule out the possibility of a tumor, infection or small fracture (called occult fractures because they cannot be seen on a x-ray) as the cause of chronic back pain.

Radioactive fluid is injected through an intravenous line into the spine. The scanner in turn picks up on areas of the spine that are featuring new bone growth. New bone growth can indicate the presence of a fracture, infection or disease.
Bone scans do not detect the difference between a tumor, an infection or a fracture, only the presence of new bone growth, which can signify a problem. Therefore, this type of imaging study usually needs to be followed by a CAT scan or magnetic resonance scans (MRI scan) to identify the exact problem.
 

The cervical spine consists of the seven vertebrae that make up the spinal segments of the neck.

The first cervical segment is a ring of cartilage that does not have a vertebral body. It is attached to the second vertebral body, which acts as a post that the first vertebral ring rotates around. Most of the rotation in the neck is located in these top two segments.
The next five cervical vertebral segments have three joints at each segment, including one disc in the front and a dually faceted of joints in the back.
 

Computer Assisted Tomography(CAT Scan), commonly known as a CT scan takes cross section images of the body.  They are used to detect fractures, lesions and infections in the spine.

A CT scan works by encasing the body with a x-ray.  A computer is used to reformat the image into cross-sections of the spine that are repeated at multiple different intervals. As a result, the spinal canal can be imaged and assessed for specific conditions.

When combined with a myelogram, which is an injection of radioactive dye, a CT scan can reveal how the bone is affecting nerves. This is a very sensitive test that can pick up subtle lesions and fractures.

CT scans should not be performed on women who may be pregnant.
 

Degenerative disc disease refers to a syndrome in which a twisted disc causes chronic low back pain. The injury weakens the disc and creates excessive motion in the joints of the vertebrae. This causes the tissues, fluids and nerves around the disc to become painful and irritated.

Some disc degeneration is a normal part of the process of aging. For most people, degenerative disc disease can be successfully treated with traditional care. Most patients will experience low-grade tolerable pain that will occasionally flare up as a result of over exertion. The frequency and intensity of the pain that accompanies degenerative disc disease can be managed with an exercise program..
 

Discectomy (sometimes also called open discectomy) refers to the surgical removal of herniated disc material that is pressing on a nerve root or the spinal cord. Before the disc material is removed, some of the bone from the affected vertebra may be removed first using a procedure called a laminotomy or laminectomy. This allows the surgeon to better see the area so that the herniated disc material can be easily removed.

A discectomy is recommended after magnetic resonance imaging (a MRI) of your spine confirms that a herniated disc is the source of your back pain.

During the procedure, the surgeon removes the fragments of disc material that have protruded into the spinal canal. The disc space may also be explored, and any other loose fragments of disc that could eventually press on nerves may also removed.

These procedures are generally performed in a hospital, using general anesthesia.
 

(Nerve Block)
Back pain is sometimes treated with a therapeutic remedy called Epidural Steroid Injection. This is commonly referred to as a nerve block. Steroid injections may also be used to decrease the inflammation and irritation to that nerve.

Anesthetic is injected directly into the area of the affected nerve in the back.  This interrupts the transmission of the pain signal to the brain. If the pain signal does not get to the brain, then pain is not actually felt or perceived by the patient.

Steroid injections may also be used instead of anesthetic to decrease the inflammation and irritation to that nerves that may be causing the back pain.

Fluoroscopy (the use of a live x-ray during operations) is usually used to help the specialist guide the needle into the exact location. The frequency of the therapeutic nerve blocks depends primarily on how effective they are in reducing pain for the individual patient.
Epidural steroid injections are used as a first line treatment in acute disc herniations in an effort to avoid surgery.
 

People who suffer from lower back pain are often encouraged to facilitate their own recovery through the use of frequent exercise and physical therapy.

One of the keys to recovering from back pain or back surgery is to undergo proper rehabilitation. This includes the stretching, strengthening and lengthening the back muscles as well as aerobic conditioning.

Exercise is a way to stimulate the healing process. If a back pain problem is persistent, the body is sending a message that it needs activity. Active exercise is a natural stimulus for the healing process.
Dedication to an appropriate, comprehensive exercise and rehabilitation program has cured many individuals of their chronic back pain.  Continued chronic back pain after starting an exercise program may signify a serious medical condition.
 

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by widespread and non-specific musculoskeletal pain, tiredness, and significantly weak or tender points on the body.  Individuals with fibromyalgia tend to feel tenderness in the neck, spine, shoulders, and hips.  Other symptoms of this syndrome are sleep disturbances, morning stiffness, anxiety and irritable bowel syndrome.

The true cause of fibromyalgia is unknown. Researchers have several theories about what triggers the disorder. Some medical experts believe that an injury or trauma that has affected the central nervous system may cause the syndrome. Others believe an infectious agent such as a virus may trigger the syndrome, however this virus has yet to be identified.

Fibromyalgia can be awkward to diagnose because many of the symptoms are similar to those of other disorders. The best know method at present for a  Specialist to diagnose Fibromyalgia is to review the patient's medical history and makes a diagnosis of fibromyalgia based on a history of chronic widespread pain that persists for more than 3 months.  The patient is considered to have fibromyalgia if he or she has widespread pain in combination with tenderness in at least eleven of eighteen specific tender points.
Studies have shown that aerobic exercises like walking and gentle swimming, can help to reduce the muscle pain and tenderness associated with fibromylgia. Patients with fibromyalgia may benefit from a combination of Physiotherapy, medication and relaxation techniques.
 

A herniated disc (also sometimes called a ruptured disc) is caused when cartilage and fluid between vertebrae in the spine presses on the nerves around the backbone. This often causes the disc to visibly bulge.

With aging, these discs are less able to cushion the bones of the spine.  This natural aging process causes the disc to tear and press on the nerves around it. When part of a disk presses on a nerve, it can cause pain in both the back and the legs. The location of the pain depends on which nerves in the spinal column are affected by the bulging disc.  Some people experience the pain of a herniated discs as a fiery sensation that spreads over the buttocks and goes down the back of one thigh and into the calf. Other people experience pain in both legs and numb and tingling sensations.

Herniated disks are most common in people in their thirties and forties.
 

A laminectomy is a surgical operation designed to relieve pressure on nerves in either the back or neck. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic.  It is usually performed on individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or when an accident causes a disc to protrude from the neck.

If the operation is performed on the neck (a cervical laminectomy), a vertical incision, three or four inches long is made along the center of the back of the neck. The surgeon removes a small amount of bone to relieve the pressure on the cervical spine and reduce the patient's discomfort.

 

The lowest part of the spine is called the lumbar spine. This area usually has five vertebrae. However, some people are born with a sixth vertebra in the lumbar region.

At the base of the lumbar spine is a group of specialized vertebrae that connects the spine to the pelvis. This is called the sacrum. When one of the bones forms as a vertebra rather than part of the sacrum, it is called a transitional (or sixth) vertebra.

The lumbar spine is shaped like a backwards C, The vertebrae in the lumbar spine area are the largest of the entire spine. The lumbar spinal canal is also larger than in the cervical (neck) or thoracic (torso) parts of the spine.

The lumbar spine is vulnerable to back pain imply because it carries most of the burden of your weight bearing body movements.  Attempting to carry or lift an object that is too heavy usually causes injuries to the lumbar spine.
 

One of the greatest benefits of massage therapy is that it helps release "feel good" hormones called endorphins, which can help alleviate the painful symptoms of chronic back pain.

The most effective type of massage therapy for lower back pain is called neuromuscular therapy. Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy and sometimes acupressure. This form of massage therapy as an effective treatment for back pain caused by a soft tissue injury such as a muscle strain.

Massage therapy produce the best results when combined with other medical treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic, or physician care.


 

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI scan) is an imaging test that allows physicians to assess a patient's spinal anatomy and to investigate the anatomical cause of the patient's back pain.  The technology was developed in the 1980's to help physicians detect abnormal spinal structures and better diagnose the exact cause of back distress.

The MRI scan can give a doctor a very accurate assessment of the condition of a person's spinal anatomy. The MRI scan reveals information such as disc height and hydration, vertebral configuration, the presence of bulging or herniated discs, the size of the spinal canal, the presence of pinched nerves and any other abnormalities.
 

A muscle pull is a condition where the muscles of the back are injured due to a traumatic pulling of the fibers. This tearing of the fibers is known as a muscle strain.

A sudden or abrupt movement that causes the muscles to stretch the muscles past their point of elasticity usually causes these injuries. While some back strains are the result of a high velocity impact  (an example is a car accident that causes whiplash), other types of pulls are caused by repetitive strain. For example, a person who maintains improper posture at a computer on a regular basis, or a tennis player who uses improper form may have their muscles tighten to the extent that something as simple as reaching for a salt shaker can cause them to pull a muscle. To add to the pain of a pulled muscle, the surrounding muscles react to the tear by stiffening to protect the injured muscle from further harm

On average it takes about six weeks to recover from a muscle pull with some relief being felt after about three weeks.  Scar tissue will continue to form past six weeks in some cases and as long as a year in severe back strains.
 

A muscle spasm is a sudden, uncontrolled contraction, or spasm that seems to happen without cause yet cause a great deal of pain. The muscle contraction and pain usually last for just a few minutes, and then slowly ease as the muscle gradually relaxes. While painful, they are harmless, and in most cases, not related to any underlying disorder.  Still cramps and spasms can be manifestations of many neurological or muscular diseases.

The terms cramp and spasm can be somewhat general, and both terms are sometimes used to describe other types of abnormal muscle. These include stiffness at rest, slow muscle relaxation, and spontaneous contractions of a muscle at rest (fasciculation). Fasciculation is a type of painless muscle spasm, marked by rapid, uncoordinated contraction of many small muscle fibers.

Abnormal contraction of back muscles may be caused by an interruption in the central nervous system. For some reason, individuals temporarily lose heir ability to regulate muscle contraction and expansion.

Some researchers say that muscle spasms are caused by overly active motor neurons or overly sensitive muscle fibers that react without the usual stimulation that causes them to contract.
 

A muscle strain (tearing) occurs when a muscle or the tendon that attaches it to the bone is overextended. This also causes the muscle to tear or rip. Muscle strains are also sometimes called pulled muscles.

Muscle strains usually occur during activities that require the muscle to tighten suddenly or forcefully. This is caused by not warming up before a strenuous activity, a weakness in the muscle or by using a previously injured muscle that has not had the time to heal properly.  That is why many muscle strains occur during exercise, sports activities or lifting heavy objects.

Symptoms of muscle strain are pain, a burning sensation and a swollen or bruised appearance to the injured area. A strained muscle might spasm, which means it contracts suddenly and involuntarily, causing severe pain.

Muscle strains are treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Ice packs are recommended at regular intervals. Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces inflammation and pain. Anti-inflammatory medications might also be used to relieve pain. You should avoid the type of activity that caused the injury until the muscle is completely healed.
 

Osteoporosis is a disorder where the bones become weakened by loss of mass. This leads to an increased risk of broken bones (fractures) as the result of even a gentle impact of the bone. The thinning of the bones does not, in itself, cause much in the way of symptoms. It does, however, lead to a risk of broken bones.

When the bones are significantly thinned (low in bone mass) people are more likely to break their wrist, hip, or other bones. Even a cough or a sneeze can cause a fracture of a rib or the partial collapse of one of the bones of the spine (vertebra). Any bone is more at risk of fracturing with osteoporosis.

Some loss of bone mass is a natural part of the aging process.  Most people lose one third of their bone mass by the age of seventy. Gradual crumbling of the bones in the spine can also occur over time and cause chronic back pain or pain in the nerves running down the arms or legs.

Osteoporosis is not usually diagnosed until a person suffers a mysterious fracture. Otherwise it is typically diagnosed using bone x-rays bone scan or bone density tests. In some cases, a bone biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis.
 

Don’t Begin Any Back Pain Treatment Program Without First Ruling Out Spinal Stenosis

Tons of people each year are diagnosed and treated for sciatic pain and get little relief because the true cause of their back pain is the often undetected, spinal stenosis.

So, if you have been suffering from chronic back pain and nerve pain, have tried numerous treatments with little relief, and are not quite sure what the hell is going on, I suggest you read the rest of this article to learn more about spinal stenosis…

What exactly is spinal stenosis…

Rather than bore you with technical, medical mumbo jumbo… we thought it would be much better for you to read the following articles. They will give you a detailed explanation of what spinal stenosis is and what causes it…

but WAIT… before you go read them, please understand that there is one major thing missing in both of these articles… and I challenge you to see if you can find out what it is. Also, after reading them be sure to come back to this page and read the rest of this article as we’ll cover the one fundamental principle missing from these articles… which by the way are written by the “experts”.

http://www.spine.org/articles/lumbarspinalstenosis.cfm

http://www.spinalstenosis.org/

So what did you think of those articles? Helpful? We thought so, however, as we said earlier there is one very important thing missing from both… it’s missing from not only the causes but also the recommended treatments.

So what is it?

Neither of the articles even mentioned the effect of excessive curvature in the spine caused by uneven compression… this often causes both discs and vertebrae to shift and decrease the space in the spinal canal….

So, if excessive curvature in the spine is a contributing factor, which it surely is, why not address that in your treatment plan???

While they do recommend exercise they DO NOT mention at all the importance of choosing the right exercises and stretches which should be based on your specific spinal position…

The excess curve in your spine, is created by imbalances in muscles throughout your body and the only way to address them is to identify exactly which muscles are out of balance, and then perform the specific exercises and stretches for that imbalance.

You can learn more about muscle imbalances, how to identify them, how to correct them, and most importantly, prevent further damage and pain by using our “Lose the Back Pain” system.

This condition is so common in older adults… so much so that many people live with the pain not knowing why and just assume it’s “old age”. If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis we strongly recommend you take action now to work on correcting your muscle imbalances which will likely lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable life… most importantly, with less pain.
 

Pinched nerves in the spine can cause serious back pain. Any pressure applied to a nerve by surrounding muscles, bones or tissue will produce irritation and will disrupt the nerve's functioning.  Symptoms of a pinched nerve range from aches and pains to numbness to a weakening of muscles.
Fibrous pads or disks separate spinal vertebrae from one another. The outer layer of the disc is strong and flexible, encasing a soft, jellylike core. When strain or injury weakens the outer layer, the condition known as a herniated disc can occur. This causes the disk to bulge and press against, one of the spinal nerves. This results in severe pain.

This condition popularly known as a slipped disc tends to occur in the parts of the spine that are the most mobile: the lower back (lumbar spine) and neck (cervical spine). Heavy lifting, obesity and contact sports can contribute to the problem.

A pinched nerve can occur as the result of pregnancy, repetitive motions or a joint disease. Thankfully, a pinched nerve generally heals in a few days to a few weeks. Chronic cases can result from persistent irritation of the affected nerve. In some cases, damage to the nerve can become permanent.
 

Back pain during pregnancy is fairly common however low back pain of long duration (several weeks or months) during pregnancy is a predictor for post partum back pain (pain after birth). For this reason, pregnant women are encouraged to seek appropriate treatment for back pain during pregnancy.

Likewise, any post partum pain that lasts longer than six to eight weeks should be treated in order to avoid chronic or recurring back problems
To help make your pregnancy as pleasant as possible and facilitate an easier delivery, back pain should be always be addressed as quickly as possible and managed throughout the pregnancy.
 

A pulled muscle (also referred to as a muscle strain) causes most episodes of back pain.  When injured the muscles can become inflamed and spasm, causing low back pain and significant stiffness

A pulled back muscle can create a surprising amount of pain. However, not much can be done for a strained back muscle except for rest, applying hot and cold therapy and taking pain relievers.

Ice massage and ice application is generally most helpful during the first 48 hours following an injury that strains the back muscles. After this initial period, heat therapy is probably more beneficial to the healing process. For some people, alternating heat therapy with cold application such as ice massage therapy provides the most pain relief.

Moist heat, such as a warm bath or whirlpool, is thought to aid the healing process by increasing circulation and relaxing muscle spasms.
 

Dysfunction in the sacroiliac joint is thought to cause lower back pain.  This pain is also accompanied by shooting pains in the leg. The symptoms mimic other common conditions, such as disc herniation and sciatic pain (pain along the sciatic nerve that radiates down the leg). A diagnosis is usually arrived at through physical examination and cat scans.

 The sacroiliac joint lies next to the spine and connects the sacrum (the triangular bone at the bottom of the spine) with the pelvis (called the iliac crest).

In physical examination, the doctor may try to determine if the sacroiliac joint is the cause of pain by moving of the joint. If the movement recreates the patient pain, and no other cause of pain has been found then degeneration of the sacroiliac joint may be the culprit. There are several orthopedic tests that can be used in attempt to positively identify the symptoms associated with sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

This condition is generally more common in young and middle age women.
 

Sciatica commonly refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve and is typically felt in the buttocks, down the back of the leg and possibly to the foot. Sciatica is one of the most common forms of pain caused by compression of the spinal nerves. Often the leg pain often feels much worse than the back pain. Numbness, tingling, and a burning or prickling sensation in the back and legs are also common symptoms.

Sciatica is actually a symptom and not disease. The term literally means that a patient has pain down the leg from compression on the sciatic nerve. Usually a herniated disc causes the sciatic pain. The diagnosis is what is causing the compression (such as a disc herniation).

Most cases of sciatica are caused by a simple irritation to the nerve and will get better with time. However, some sciatica symptoms may indicate a permanently injured nerve. This is particularly if true weakness or numbness is present in the back or the leg.
 

The term scoliosis is used to describe an abnormal curvature of the spine. Scoliosis can be caused by congenital, developmental or degenerative problems or simply be idiopathic (a condition caused by no known cause.)

Scoliosis usually develops in the thoracic spine (upper back) or the thoracolumbar area of the spine, which is between the thoracic spine and lumbar spine (lower back). It may also occur just in the lower back. The curvatures are usually S or C shaped.  Usually these curves in the spine are visible beneath the skin to the naked eye.

Idiopathic scoliosis is by far the most prevalent form of scoliosis and occurs to some degree in approximately one half million adolescents in the United States.

The risk of scoliosis is increased during puberty, when the growth rate of the body is the fastest. Scoliosis with significant curvature of the spine is much more prevalent in girls than in boys, and girls are eight times more likely to need treatment for scoliosis.  Still, the majority of all cases of scoliosis do not require treatment.
 

Spinal fusion is an operation that is conducted to limit the mobility of adjacent vertebrae in the spine. The most common reason for performing a spinal fusion is low back pain caused by painful motion of the vertebrae. The goal of a spine fusion is to eliminate the motion of the offending vertebrae. This reduces any pain caused by motion. ,

Degenerative disc disease, spondylolysis and other degenerative spinal conditions can cause this abnormal and painful motion.  In addition, a spinal fusion may be indicated for any condition that causes excessive instability of the spine, such as fractures, infections, tumors, and congenital spinal deformities.

There are two main types of spinal fusion: posterolateral fusion and interbody fusion. In a posterolateral fusion a graft is inserted to create a bony bridge between two vertebrae.  In a posterolateral fusion procedure, which is much more common, involves placing screws to bolt two or more vertebrae together into a rigid position.

 

Over 40 and Mysterious Back Pain Ruining Your Life???

Don’t Begin Any Back Pain Treatment Program Without First Ruling Out Spinal Stenosis

Tons of people each year are diagnosed and treated for sciatic pain and get little relief because the true cause of their back pain is the often undetected, spinal stenosis.

So, if you have been suffering from chronic back pain and nerve pain, have tried numerous treatments with little relief, and are not quite sure what the hell is going on, I suggest you read the rest of this article to learn more about spinal stenosis…

What exactly is spinal stenosis…

Rather than bore you with technical, medical mumbo jumbo… we thought it would be much better for you to read the following articles. They will give you a detailed explanation of what spinal stenosis is and what causes it…

but WAIT… before you go read them, please understand that there is one major thing missing in both of these articles… and I challenge you to see if you can find out what it is. Also, after reading them be sure to come back to this page and read the rest of this article as we’ll cover the one fundamental principle missing from these articles… which by the way are written by the “experts”.

http://www.spine.org/articles/lumbarspinalstenosis.cfm

http://www.spinalstenosis.org/

So what did you think of those articles? Helpful? We thought so, however, as we said earlier there is one very important thing missing from both… it’s missing from not only the causes but also the recommended treatments.

So what is it?

Neither of the articles even mentioned the effect of excessive curvature in the spine caused by uneven compression… this often causes both discs and vertebrae to shift and decrease the space in the spinal canal….

So, if excessive curvature in the spine is a contributing factor, which it surely is, why not address that in your treatment plan???

While they do recommend exercise they DO NOT mention at all the importance of choosing the right exercises and stretches which should be based on your specific spinal position…

The excess curve in your spine, is created by imbalances in muscles throughout your body and the only way to address them is to identify exactly which muscles are out of balance, and then perform the specific exercises and stretches for that imbalance.

You can learn more about muscle imbalances, how to identify them, how to correct them, and most importantly, prevent further damage and pain by using our “Lose the Back Pain” system.

This condition is so common in older adults… so much so that many people live with the pain not knowing why and just assume it’s “old age”. If you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis we strongly recommend you take action now to work on correcting your muscle imbalances which will likely lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable life… most importantly, with less pain.
 

Spondylolisthesis is a condition in which one vertebra slips onto or rubs against another vertebrae in the spinal column. Symptoms of this condition are back pain, pain in the buttocks or leg pain.  Nerves that are pinched by the shifting vertebrae cause discomfort. Most sufferers of spondylolisthesis suffer from a persistent low back pain that is relieved by rest.
Spondylolisthesis can be congenital (present at birth) or develop during childhood or later in life. The disorder may be the result of stressing the spine through gymnastics, football, weight lifting and other athletic activities.
Degenerative spondylolisthesis occurs after age 50.  The natural aging process may also create a narrowing of the spinal canal.
Usually an x-ray, taken from a side-view, can quickly confirm or deny the presence of this condition.
Treatment usually includes two or three days of bed rest, restriction of activities causing stress to the lumbar spine, Physiotherapy, anti-inflammatory and pain reducing medications, and sometimes the outfitting of a corset or brace.
Surgical intervention is considered when the disorder is threatening the function of the spinal cord or if the condition is causing unbearable long-term back pain.
 

Spondylolysis refers to a defect in one of the vertebra in the lower back.  Usually it is the last vertebra of the lumbar spine that is prone to this condition.
The area of the vertebra that is affected is called the pedicle. The pedicle is part of the bony ring that protects the spinal nerves, and is the portion that connects the vertebral body to the facet joints. When a spondylolysis is present, the back part of the vertebra and the facet joints simply are not connected except by soft tissue. This causes spondylolisthtesis, or slippage of the discs. These discs compress spinal nerves and can cause great pain.
This disorder is most common in football players and gymnasts. The current thought is that the spondylolysis is probably a stress fracture that never completely healed.
Spondylolisthesis is the term used to describe when one vertebra slips forward on the one below it. This usually occurs because there is a spondylolysis in the vertebra on top.
People with these conditions have a higher risk than the normal population of developing chronic low back pain.

 

The goal of stretching for back pain is to decrease the frequency of the pain, increase over all functioning, and prevent the back from becoming weak and vulnerable to further injury.

Almost everyone can benefit from stretching the soft tissues of the muscles, ligaments and tendons in the back and around the spine. The spinal column and its muscles, ligaments and tendons are all designed to move. Limitations in this motion can accentuate back pain.  As the old saying goes "If you rest, you rust!"

Individuals with chronic back pain may find it takes weeks or months of stretching to encourage flexibility in the spine and soft tissues again. However sustained relief of low back pain typically follows the increase in motion. It is recommended that any individual who has suffered from low back pain should stretch their muscles once or twice daily.
 

Composed of twelve vertebrae, the thoracic spine is the longest part of your back. It is often referred to as the middle back or torso back. One way to identify these vertebrae is to realize that each of one has a rib attached to it.

The nerves that are protected by the vertebrae in the thoracic spine control muscles, surface tissue, and internal organs.  These nerves also control the arms from the elbow down, hands, fingers, the muscles of the middle back, the chest, and the ribcage.

Nerves passing through the spinal canal of the thoracic spine also control crucial parts of the sympathetic nervous system including the heart, lungs, bronchial tubes, gallbladder, liver, stomach, small intestines, kidneys, pancreas, and kidneys.
 

Trigger point therapy is based on the phenomenon of mysterious pain being triggered by a light touch. These painful trigger points can occur as a result of muscle spasm or from tangled knots of fascia.

In persons who are suffering from muscular aches and pains, knotted muscles and a painful tender spot characterize the trigger point. A trigger point can radiate pain and sensation through nerves to other places on the body.

Trigger point therapy treatment involves injecting a small amount of local anesthetic into the trigger point. The anesthetic seems to scramble the pain message from the nerve and return the nerves in the trigger point back to a state of rest. A series of treatments are necessary to cause the re-educate the pathologically disturbed nerve and muscle to behave normally.

Trigger point therapy is especially useful for cases of blunt or traumatic injury to the back or in cases when repetitive motions or tension causes the pain.
 

Trigger points are isolated focal points located in a taut band of skeletal muscle.  When touched, these trigger point produce pain.  Trigger point pain often accompanies chronic musculoskeletal disorders.

Acute trauma or repetitive trauma to the muscles may lead to the development of stress on muscle fibers and the formation of trigger points.  As a result people may develop persistent regional pain that results in a decreased range of motion in the affected area.

Trigger points are often found in the muscles used to maintain body posture, such as those in the neck, shoulders, and pelvic girdle. Trigger points may also manifest as tension headache, tinnitus, jaw pain, and low back pain.

Various treatments, such as ultrasonography, manipulative therapy and injection, are used to inactivate trigger points. Trigger-point injection has been shown to be one of the most effective treatment modalities to inactivate trigger points and provide prompt relief of symptoms.
 

The human spine is made up of twenty-four small bones, called vertebrae. The vertebrae protect and support the spinal cord. They also bear the majority of the weight put upon your spine. Vertebrae, like all bones, have an outer layer called cortical bone that is hard and strong. The inside of the core is made of a soft, spongy type of bone, called cancellous bone.

The vertebral body is the large, round portion of bone. Each vertebra is attached to a bony ring. When the vertebrae are stacked one on top of the other the rings create a hollow tube for the spinal cord to pass through. Each vertebra is held to the others by groups of ligaments.

The bony ring attached to the vertebral body consists of several parts. The laminae extend from the body to cover the spinal canal, which is the hole in the center of the vertebrae. The spinous process is the bony portion opposite the body of the vertebra. There are two transverse processes (bumps), where the back muscles attach to the vertebrae. The pedicle is a bony projection that connects to both sides of the lamina. This is the ridge that you can see and feel if you observe the vertebrae on anyone's back.


 

A vertebral compression fracture, also called a vertebral crush fracture, is a collapse or breakdown of one or more of the bones in your spine (the vertebrae).

This type of fracture typically results when osteoporosis, the ""brittle bone'' disease, weakens the bones in the spine.  Aging, a lack of calcium and the sustained use of some medicines can also lead to weaker bones. A fall or jump may cause the fracture; but the bones sometimes collapse from the body's own weight.  Sometimes the injury can be caused by a slight nudge.

If the injury occurs suddenly, you may have severe pain or weakness in your back, arms, or legs. If the collapse happens more slowly, the pain may be much milder. You might also experience problems with urination and bowel movements.

A x-ray of the spine is used to determine the location of the injury. Casts and splints aren't used for this type of fracture, but you may need to wear a back support. Your doctor also will probably prescribe medication for the pain and drugs that to strengthen the compressed spinal column.

X-rays provide detail of the bone structures in the spine, and are used to rule out such problems as tumors and fractures.

X-rays are photographs that are created when the calcium in the bone blocks the penetration of the x-ray. An x-ray can reveal fractures but it cannot be used to diagnose disc herniations or other causes of back pain.  Pregnant women should avoid having x-rays.