Chronic Spinal Pain and The
Muscle Balance Breakthrough
(see also Neck Pain and Back Pain)
Learn why neck and back pain persists
For many years, physiotherapists, chiropractors and osteopaths have dealt with back and neck pain by treating flexibility and strength in the spine. Recently however, through scientific research, it has been proven that the vital role of stability of joints has not previously been properly addressed in rehabilitation. If joints are not stabilised this will lead to an increase in joint movement and sheering, hence wear and tear changes, and pain.
We now know that the majority of neck and back pain sufferers have specific muscles changes which are not present in people who have no history of pain.
Furthermore, trials have been directed at the most disabled group of sufferers, ie those with chronic, longstanding spinal pain, hence, the results carry greater significance.
For many years, this concept of localised joint stabilisation, has been simply applied to joints such as the knee and ankle, but it is far more complex when applied to the spine.
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Imagine a dog’s tail wagging strongly and its hind end rotating due to the strength of movement in the tail- the tail wags the dog. Likewise when a person strides forward strongly or quickly, the back rotates in the same way.
In the person with no history of back pain, there is enough control in these specific spinal muscles to counterbalance the force that the legs create on the pelvis when you walk.
However, when the back is already weakened, there is more movement in the spine and strain occurs. This is where specific stabilisation muscle training has its greatest impact. |
Let us show you how to take control
By developing the small stability muscles correctly, your spine becomes stable, similar to the way that a corset takes the stress out of the back.
This type of rehabilitation exercise is very different to the conventional core exercises taught in gyms which generally increase the strength in the muscles. As strength is very different to stability, treatment must be carried out by a physiotherapist with special training in the muscle imbalance and spinal stabilisation approach.
Stability muscles and developing imbalances
To exercise stability muscles, you must use the muscle at 25% of maximum, holding for 10 seconds, relaxing for 10 and repeating 10 times.
To exercise strength muscles, you need to repeat few contractions at maximum contraction. When you work muscles at maximum, the stability muscles ‘go on holiday’ allowing the strength muscles to become workaholics, hence increasing the muscle imbalances.
Athletes interested in injury prevention are doing these exercises to not only prevent injury but to improve performance. A study conducted by Jenny Birckill, a physiotherapist working with a Brisbane ballet school, reduced injuries to 1/3 within a year by routinely teaching students these specific exercises, prior to injury.
Conventional manipulation and strength training is not enough to support and stabilise the spine. Weight training strengthens muscles and increases bulk, making the muscles more rigid and therefore reducing flexibility. Stability training educates muscle to control joint movement. Strength training is appropriate if your joints are stable, but unstable joints do not like strength work.
The solution to rebalancing the muscles is to work the stability muscles specifically to increase their activation before you work on the strength muscles. Even the strongest man in the world can get back pain if his stability muscles are not functioning normally.
Breakthrough Australian research is now being applied to many of the patients who come with chronic, long-term spinal pain at The Edinburgh Physiotherapy Centre.
Book your assessment on 0131 556 1116
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