November 2024 Healthy News from Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC Degenerated Discs and Multifidus Muscles Find Help Here

COMBATING CHRONIC LOW BACK PAIN: A Helpful Approach to Multifidus Muscle Health

Low back pain is a common health issue, especially in the elderly population in La Grande, and can be contributed to by multifidus muscle degeneration. Research has shown that chronic low back pain is linked to disc degeneration and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle, a key stabilizing force in the spine. Studies by Balevi and Gu H. et al., have further studied this connection and highlighted the significant effect it can have on spinal health and function. Balevi expounds on the intricate relationship between low back pain and the degeneration of the multifidus muscle. The study stresses that multifidus muscle health is vital for spinal stability and draws attention to the fact that degeneration, including fatty infiltration, undermines this stability, exacerbating back pain. Balevi's research emphasizes the effectiveness of targeted rehabilitation exercises in undoing muscle degeneration, thereby enhancing spinal health. (1) Similarly, Gu H. et al.'s research highlights the benefits of specific exercises targeting multifidus muscle function in reducing low back pain and improving spinal health. The authors close with the statement that targeted exercises can enhance muscle strength and endurance, finally undoing fatty degeneration and increasing spinal stability. (2) By incorporating these exercises into an overall chiropractic treatment plan encompassing gentle, safe chiropractic adjustments with Cox® Technic, chronic low back pain sufferers - even those who are a bit older - may experience a significant decrease in pain and enhancement in their quality of life, as evidenced in these studies. Count on Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC to create just the right exercise plan to help you!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tony Barton on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson  about the use of gentle, safe treatment  protocols of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to ease La Grande chronic back pain.

TIP OF THE MONTH: Strengthen Multifidus Muscles!

Compared with general exercise, motor control exercise with isolated lumbar extension exercise showed greater improvement in multifidus muscle size, composition and function with obvious increased thickness of the multifidus plus improvement in pain, function and quality of life for those back pain sufferers in the study. (3) One easy exercise for the multifidus is simply standing at a counter, everting your foot, and raising your leg straight back. Easy! Combine exercise with spinal manipulation like Cox® Technic, and your weak multifidus muscles (and that pain in your back) will thank you!

We are grateful for you and your trust in our chiropractic care. Schedule your La Grande chiropractic appointment now! Have a great November!