Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC Knows Well the Spine and Its Connections

Nerves. Discs. Muscles. What connects them all? The spine! And back pain is a complex condition typically involving all these components. Your La Grande chiropractor at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC appreciates all of these spinal elements. Your La Grande chiropractor pays great attention to each of these spinal parts. Your La Grande chiropractor decreases La Grande back pain and neck pain connected to these spinal elements with gentle chiropractic services and Cox® Technic at Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC.

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 usual 33 vertebrae. Three parts make up each disc – the gel-like, water/collagen-composed nucleus pulposus surrounded and held in place by the collagenous annulus fibrosus and two endplates on top and bottom that protect 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 show just how connected the spine is, more articles surface about the importance of diaphragm training for muscle relaxation like the hamstring muscles. In a recent study, this training is reported to increase the thickness of lumbar spine stabilizing muscles, transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus muscles. (2) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC is amazed by what diaphragm-focused treatment does for such muscles. It all reflects on how intricately the spine is created and connected! Fascinating! Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC likes working La Grande chiropractic patients’ spines every day!

NERVES

Spinal nerves weave their paths throughout the spine, collecting and sending impulses from head to toe. The superior gluteal nerve winds its ways through the lower pelvis by 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 injured, it often causes an unmistakable walking and standing gait due to the gluteus medius muscle paralysis it produces. (3) Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC back pain patients understand how touchy these spinal nerves are and so does Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC.

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 is deep and originates at 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 – 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 brings into question its contributing role in back pain. It is an important part of the thoracolumbar fascia muscle system as it encircles the iliac crest, the transverse processes of lumbar spine’s vertebrae and 12^th 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 improved erector spinae muscle activity and reduced pain and disability. (6) That’s why Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC routinely suggests exercise to La Grande back pain patients as part of the chiropractic treatment plan. Do not worry! Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC makes sure these are easy and helpful for you!

CONTACT Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC

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.