Athletes Learn the Benefits of Resting Your Body Offseason
Have you accepted the fact that you will always suffer from chronic low back pain? Think again. There are simple steps you can take to ensure you move properly, which in turn will help you eliminate your pain.
In my opinion, traditional medicine has failed to help patients understand their pain, and does little to encourage them to make modifications socially and psychologically, and most importantly, biomechanically. Simple modifications in your lifestyle can help you eliminate your chronic low back pain. By making simple changes in your mechanics, as opposed to treatments that only mask the pain, I believe you will alleviate your symptoms, if not totally make them disappear.
Let me first begin by briefly explaining why I feel so strongly about this particular topic. I have had my share of chronic low back pain throughout the years. My condition, known as spondylolisthesis, is actually quite severe. I used to receive at least two injections per year, among other forms of medication to help me control my pain, which was radiating into my legs and preventing me from being able to walk without pain, let alone enjoy recreational activities. I visited many health care providers, but was never educated on proper mechanics, or proper hip movement to spare the low back. However, through my studies to become a chiropractor, I very quickly realized that I was moving improperly the entire time, which was contributing to my low back pain. Since modifying my mechanics, I have not had an episode of low back pain in over 10 years!
At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, a majority of our patients being treated for low back pain have poor mechanics. They tend to recruit their low back in daily movements, when in fact; they should be using their hips. Daily activities, such as picking objects up off the floor, going from sitting to standing, washing their face, brushing their teeth, tying shoe laces, etc. are often done improperly. Recruitment of the lower back during these simple daily activities can cause micro-trauma to the tissue in the lower back, which in turn can lead to chronic pain.
If moving incorrectly is not enough, our current sedentary lifestyle of constant sitting, whether at the office, in the car, or at home, can also contribute to chronic pain, by inhibiting your core and glutes, which are primary mover muscles and are important in core stability.
Related: Think Sitting Can’t Kill You?
At our affordable chiropractic clinic, we treat patients with a variety of backgrounds, from avid athletes to deskbound individuals, who suffer from chronic back pain. However, we have helped them become in control of their pain, through education and empowerment of a few very simple steps.
1. Maintain a neutral back. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P01UKraYFGE&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]
2. Pick items up from the floor properly. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiQJVD5lcds&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]
3. Squat with a neutral back. Many people believe squatting is only done at the gym when working out. However, we squat all day every day, for example, going from sitting to standing, going up stairs, grabbing your lunch out of the refrigerator, picking things up off the floor, etc. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPHeDo192Us&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]
Mastering the techniques in these videos will help you immensely in managing your low back pain.
If you have any questions on proper mechanics, or chronic low back pain, contact our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020.
About Integrated Health Solutions
Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.