Core Strength as Prevention

 

Back pain is one of the most common health problems in the United States. It affects people doing nearly every kind of work, and has gotten worse during the past year when many people were using improvised offices and becoming even more sedentary. However, there are things we can do to reduce our risk of developing it. At the Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center in Nitro, we value preventive care and help patients to recover from injuries holistically. Maintaining a strong core is one of the most important measures we can take to protect our spines.

Our vertebrae are cushioned by gelatinous discs that separate their bodies, and a network of thin muscles running along their facets allow us to bend over and backward. However, these structures can easily become overburdened through sudden use or tightened through lack of use. Maintaining strong, flexible core muscles distributes the body’s weight more evenly and allows it to be less reliant on smaller muscles for heavy lifting. The innermost core muscle is a horizontal band called the transverse abdominis, which provides support to the organs in our abdomens. Outside of it are the obliques, which support the ribs and allow us to twist and bend to each side. The outermost core muscle in the front is the rectus abdominis, which is the one that is most visible, but we also have deep connective muscles linking together our lower backs and the tops of our legs.

Our musculoskeletal health experts can help patients to devise plans that will allow them to exercise each of these muscle groups safely. Overuse of the hip muscles can cause them to swell and put pressure on the sciatic nerves, but if their strength is built up gradually, they will be more resistant to tearing when they are subjected to sudden pressure. For patients who are engaging in core strengthening as physical therapy, we also provide work-out recovery treatments such as therapeutic massages, electric muscle stimulation, and ultrasound.

Dr. Jay McClanahan is the owner and chiropractor of Dr. J Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Our office is located in Nitro, WV. To schedule an appointment with Dr. McClanahan visit our website or call 304-776-1520.