Executive Chiropractic of Iowa Knows Well the Spine and Its Connections
Nerves. Discs. Muscles. What connects them all? The spine! And back pain is a complex condition often including all these components. Your West Des Moines chiropractor at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa values all of these spinal elements. Your West Des Moines chiropractor respects each of these spinal parts. Your West Des Moines chiropractor decreases West Des Moines back pain and neck pain associated with these spinal elements with gentle chiropractic services and Cox® Technic at Executive Chiropractic of Iowa.
THE SPINE
It is the body’s support system. The spine connects everything! The spine’s bones – called vertebrae – connect ligaments, muscles and discs to form this support system. 25 intervertebral discs separate the typical 33 vertebrae. Three parts comprise each disc – the gel-like, water/collagen-composed nucleus pulposus contained and held in place by the collagenous annulus fibrosus and two endplates on top and bottom that safeguard 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 surface about the value of diaphragm training for muscle relaxation like the hamstring muscles. In a new study, this training is reported to increase the thickness of lumbar spine stabilizing muscles, transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. (2) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa is amazed by what diaphragm-focused treatment does for such muscles. It all goes back to how complexly the spine is created and connected! Interesting! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa likes taking care of West Des Moines 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 via the L4, L5 and S1 nerve roots in the sacral plexus. It supplies nerves to the gluteus medius, gluteus minimum and tensor fasciae latae muscles. If damaged, it often causes an obviously different walking and standing gait because of the gluteus medius muscle paralysis it triggers. (3) Executive Chiropractic of Iowa back pain patients understand how touchy these spinal nerves are and so does Executive Chiropractic of Iowa.
MUSCLES
The spine relies 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 comes off 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 influencing mood and stress disorders as a cause of low back pain. (4) The quadratus lumborum muscle is key 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 essential 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 key to balance, maintaining the center of gravity, as well as stability. Interestingly, in a research study of women with chronic low back pain, stability exercises and balance exercises involving the external oblique muscle increased erector spinae muscle activity and decreased pain and disability. (6) That’s why Executive Chiropractic of Iowa customarily recommends exercise to West Des Moines back pain patients as part of the chiropractic treatment plan. Don’t worry! Executive Chiropractic of Iowa ensures these are simple and effective for you!
CONTACT Executive Chiropractic of Iowa
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.
