Johnson Chiropractic Knows Well the Spine and Its Connections
Nerves. Discs. Muscles. What connects them all? The spine! And back pain is a complex condition often involving all these elements. Your Richmond chiropractor at Johnson Chiropractic values all of these spinal elements. Your Richmond chiropractor respects each of these spinal elements. Your Richmond chiropractor relieves Richmond back pain and neck pain connected to these spinal elements with gentle chiropractic services and Cox® Technic at Johnson Chiropractic.
THE SPINE
The spine is the body’s support system. The spine links everything! The spine’s bones – called vertebrae – join ligaments, muscles and discs to make up this support system. 25 intervertebral discs separate the usual 33 vertebrae. Three parts make up 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 permit 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 recent study, this training is reported to grow the thickness of lumbar spine stabilizing muscles, transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. (2) Johnson Chiropractic is amazed by what diaphragm-focused treatment does for such muscles. It all goes back to how intricately the spine is designed and connected! Fascinating! Johnson Chiropractic enjoys working Richmond chiropractic patients’ spines every day!
NERVES
Spinal nerves intertwine their ways in the spine, gathering and sending impulses from head to toe. The superior gluteal nerve winds 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 usually creates an unmistakable walking and standing gait due to the gluteus medius muscle paralysis it produces. (3) Johnson Chiropractic back pain patients understand how sensitive these spinal nerves are and so does Johnson Chiropractic.
MUSCLES
The spine relies on muscles to keep it together. The psoas muscle runs along both sides of the spinal vertebral column down to the pelvis. It’s deep and comes off the lumbar vertebrae, L1-L4, adjoining much more - the less trochanter of the femur, iliopsoas muscle, psoas major muscle, inconsistent psoas minor muscle, iliac fascia, iliacus muscle, and inguinal ligament – influencing postural function and having an effect on 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 draws into question its contributing role in back pain. It is an important part of the thoracolumbar fascia muscle system as it surrounds 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, and stability. Notably, in a research study of women with chronic low back pain, stability exercises and balance exercises involving the external oblique muscle improved erector spinae muscle activity and reduced pain and disability. (6) That is why Johnson Chiropractic routinely suggests exercise to Richmond back pain patients as part of the chiropractic treatment plan. Do not worry! Johnson Chiropractic makes sure these are easy and effective for you!
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Lonny Skjervheim on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about chiropractic care of low back pain with leg pain together using Cox® Technic spinal manipulation.
