Low Back Pain Archives - Advanced Physical Medicine

Low Back Pain and Hamstring Flexibility

written by patient

Many people suffer from low back pain. What many people don’t realize is that pain can often be linked to a lack of flexibility in the hamstrings.

North Haven Chiropractor

Let’s talk about some anatomy first. The hamstrings are located in the back of the thigh and connect the lower pelvis to the lower leg. They help in leg extension and bending of the knee. The upper part of the pelvis is then connected to the spine and many different muscles. The ones we will focus on right now are called the erector spinae. These muscles run alongside the spine and help with posture, core stabilization, and spinal movement. If the hamstrings become tight then they can begin to limit motion in the pelvis. Consequently, if the pelvis has limited movement this can cause the muscles of the low back to become tight, which can lead to low back pain. Many times people will present with this condition. This is why it is important to work on proper flexibility in your hamstrings. Increasing hamstring flexibility will help increase the motion of your pelvis, which will in turn take tension off of your low back helping to decrease your back pain.

December 19, 2012 0 comment

General

Chiropractic and Pregnancy

written by patient

With studies finding that about half of all expectant mothers will develop low-back pain at some point during their pregnancies, it’s no surprise many women have discovered the benefits associated with chiropractic and pregnancy.

Chiropractic manipulation is safe for the pregnant woman and her baby and can be especially appealing to those who are trying to avoid medications in treating their back pain. The average weight gain of 25 to 35 pounds, combined with the increased stress placed on the body
by the baby, may result in severe discomfort. During pregnancy, a woman’s center of gravity almost immediately begins to shift forward to the front of her pelvis. Although a woman’s sacrum—or posterior section of the pelvis—has enough depth to enable her to carry a baby, the displaced weight still increases the stress on her joints. As the baby grows in size, the woman’s weight is projected even farther forward, and the curvature of her lower back is increased, placing extra stress on the spinal disks. While these changes sound dramatic, pregnancy hormones
help loosen the ligaments attached to the pelvic bones. But even these natural changes designed to accommodate the growing baby can result in postural imbalances.

November 28, 2012 0 comment