If you suffer from low back pain, you are not alone. In fact, Americans spend more than $50 billion each year on remedies for low back pain. Almost everyone will experience some type of low back pain in their life, and, in fact, it is a leading contributor to missed work days. Low back pain is especially common in those who do not keep themselves fit. But even those who are fit often miss one of the most important aspects of protecting their back, i.e. maintaining and/or increasing their flexibility.
This increased flexibility becomes more important as a person becomes older since as a person ages their bone strength and muscle elasticity and tone tend to decrease. This then in turn causes the discs or shock absorbers in their back to lose fluid and flexibility, thus decreasing their ability to cushion the vertebrae or bones of the spine. As a result low back pain develops.
Additionally, scar tissue created when an old injury heals itself does not have the strength or flexibility of normal tissue. Build-up of scar tissue from repeated injuries eventually weakens the back and can lead to more serious injuries. Decreased flexibility in the area also increases the chances of re-injury.
Daily stretching will increase ones flexibility and the likelihood of these problems can be prevented. Stretching the lower back and the surrounding muscles will result in decreased pain, increased flexibility, decreased pressure on the discs of the spine and because of the increased elasticity in the muscle will reduce the likelihood of re-injury.
Ensuring the lower back is flexible requires a balance of flexibility, strength and endurance in the area. Specifically, the critical components are:
• Low back (lumbar) flexibility
• Hamstring flexibility (the back of the thigh)
• Hip flexor flexibility
• Strength and endurance of the forward and lateral abdominals
• Strength and endurance of the back extensor muscles
After incorporating these components into your daily routine you will experience meaningful and sustained relief of your back pain and significantly decrease the likelihood of a back injury.
For more information, contact Dr. Kelly Herta, DC, at 661-295-5200. Aligned Health Chiropractic & Wellness Center. Located at 27875 Smyth Drive, Suite 100 in Valencia.