Back pain is more relevant the older we get. In the past, patients family doctors prescribed bed rest for low back pain. These days, treatment guidelines recommend staying active during the recovery process. Why the change? Ok, it goes like this…
There are two types of muscles in the back: the superficial muscles and the deep muscles.
The superficial muscles perform motions like bending and twisting. These muscles strengthen by exercise that places stress on the muscles, like lifting weights.
On bed rest, the muscles in the back weaken and atrophy. As activity is resumed, the body recruits the superficial muscles to help stabilize the back. Because the muscles are not adapted for this function, the superficial back muscles tire more easily, and in the presence of deep muscle weakness, normal movement will impair. This can place abnormal stress on the structures in the spine and other parts of the body, increasing the risk for additional musculoskeletal injuries. Which is exactly what we do not want!
Bed rest can also affect the disks that act as “shock absorbers” in the spine. In one study, researchers recruit 72 middle-aged adults and assess their physical activity levels in the preceding years based on how many days they engage in strenuous activity. The Length of time are every two weeks: active (9 to 14 days), moderately active (1-8 days), or inactive (0 days). About one in five (21%) classify as active, half (53%) describe as moderately active, and the remainder (26%) are inactive. The researchers also perform an MRI on each participant and gather information on low back pain-related pain and disability.
These results are amazing!
The results clearly showed that physically inactive individuals were more likely to have back pain, reduced function, loss of disk height, and fat build-up in their back muscles. Sounds terrible to me. The research team concluded that getting regular, regimented exercise throughout life is important for reducing the risk of back pain.
Dr. Lamperski can help you with proper techniques and the right exercises to reduce your back pain.
There are very specific exercises that help strengthen the deep, low back stabilizing muscles. Dr. Lamperski regularly prescribes exercise and/or Summus Laser Therapy to address an acute flair-up of low back pain. It also helps prevent future pain. Make an appointment at Palm Beach Chiropractic and Rehabilitation and see for yourself. 561-708-5700
