For individuals experiencing tightness in the lower back and hamstrings, can utilizing the sit and reach test help determine an individual’s risk for future pain and injury?
Sit and Reach Test
Lower back and hamstring tightness and pain symptoms are usually brought on by muscle stiffness. The sit-and-reach test is one of the most common ways to measure lower back and hamstring flexibility. Exercise physiologists, physical therapists, chiropractors, and fitness trainers use the sit-and-reach test to measure lower back and hamstring flexibility to assess baseline flexibility. The test has been around since 1952 (Katharine F. Wells & Evelyn K. Dillon 2013) and has an extensive database of results across all age groups and genders.
Individuals can use the sit-and-reach test to compare flexibility to the average result for individuals of the same gender and age.
For healthcare providers, the test may be repeated after several weeks to determine flexibility progress.
Measurement
The test can be a valuable measurement of functional flexibility to sit with the legs straight in front and reach the toes. Jobs, sports, and everyday tasks regularly require bending over, reaching, and lifting objects. These are real-life examples of how having a healthy back and hamstring flexibility is vital in preventing pain symptoms and injuries. New flexibility assessments are currently being developed, and many trainers and therapists use their own versions with patients and clients. But even with more advanced specialized flexibility tests, the sit and reach test can be a functional testing tool for tracking general flexibility changes over time. (Daniel Mayorga-Vega et al., 2014)
Performing The Test
A special sit-and-reach testing box is used; however, individuals can make their own testing box by finding a heavy-duty box around 30cm or 11.811 inches tall. Set a measurement ruler/stick on top of the box so that 26 cm or 10.2362 inches of the ruler extends over the front edge toward the individual being tested. The 26cm mark should be at the edge of the box.
Get into position – Remove shoes and sit on the floor with legs stretched out in front with the knees straight and feet flat against the front end of the test box.
Start the movement – In a slow, steady motion, lean forward, keeping the knees straight, and slide the hands up the ruler as far as possible.
Stretch and repeat – Extend as far as possible, record the results, rest, and repeat three times.
Calculate the results – Average the results.
Results
Results compare flexibility over time to norms, or averages, for gender and age. Adequate flexibility is reaching the toes – the 26-cm mark on the ruler while keeping the legs straight.
Adult Women
37cm or 14.5669 inches or above: Excellent
33 to 36cm or 12.9921 inches: Above average
29 to 32cm or 11.4173 inches: Average
23 to 28cm or 9.05512 inches: Below average
Below 23cm or 8.66142 inches: Poor
Adult Men
34cm or 13.3858 inches or above: Excellent
28 to 33cm or 11.0236 inches: Above average
23 to 27cm or 9.05512 inches: Average
16 to 22cm or 6.29921 inches: Below average
Below 16cm or 5.90551 inches: Poor
Alternatives
Individuals can test their own hamstring and lower back flexibility with some easy at-home tests. Use these methods while working on flexibility, and keep a record to see improvements. (Brittany L. Hansberger et al., 2019) One alternative is the V-sit reach test.
To perform this, make a line on the floor with tape, then place a measuring tape perpendicular to the tape, making a cross.
Sit with the feet in a V shape, touching the tape, feet about a foot apart, with the measuring tape between the legs; the 0 end starts where the legs part.
Overlap hands with arms outstretched in front.
Repeat three times, leaning forward and reaching with hands out.
Then, repeat and take note of how far the hands could reach.
Individuals will need someone to measure the distance between their fingertips and the floor.
Warm up with a few practice stretches of standing and bending toward the floor.
Then, measure how far from the floor the fingertips are.
The ability to touch the floor is a good sign.
Improving Flexibility
Individuals with less than adequate flexibility are recommended to work on stretching the major muscle groups in both the upper and lower body on a regular basis to improve and maintain body flexibility.
Individuals can incorporate dynamic stretching, which consists of active movements utilizing a full range of motion as part of warming up for workouts, sports, or other activities.
Static stretching is recommended when cooling down after the muscles are warmed up and joints are lubricated.
The American College of Sports Medicine recommends 2 to 3 sessions a week of flexibility training and learning to stretch daily.
Stretches should be held for 15 to 30 seconds, then released and repeated 2 to 4 times. (Phil Page 2012)
This will take time and dedication, but with the help of trained specialists, regaining flexibility and full range of motion can be accomplished.
Benefits of Stretching
References
Katharine F. Wells & Evelyn K. Dillon (1952) The Sit and Reach—A Test of Back and Leg Flexibility, Research Quarterly. American Association for Health, Physical Education and Recreation, 23:1, 115-118, DOI: 10.1080/10671188.1952.10761965
Mayorga-Vega, D., Merino-Marban, R., & Viciana, J. (2014). Criterion-Related Validity of Sit-and-Reach Tests for Estimating Hamstring and Lumbar Extensibility: a Meta-Analysis. Journal of sports science & medicine, 13(1), 1–14.
Hansberger, B. L., Loutsch, R., Hancock, C., Bonser, R., Zeigel, A., & Baker, R. T. (2019). EVALUATING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CLINICAL ASSESSMENTS OF APPARENT HAMSTRING TIGHTNESS: A CORRELATIONAL ANALYSIS. International journal of sports physical therapy, 14(2), 253–263.
Page P. (2012). Current concepts in muscle stretching for exercise and rehabilitation. International journal of sports physical therapy, 7(1), 109–119.
Individuals experiencing pain symptoms like shooting, stabbing, or electrical sensations to the latissimus dorsi of the upper back could be caused by a nerve injury to the thoracodorsal nerve. Can knowing the anatomy and symptoms help healthcare providers develop an effective treatment plan?
Thoracodorsal Nerve
Also known as the middle subscapular nerve or the long subscapular nerve, it branches out from a part of the brachial plexus and provides motor innervation/function to the latissimus dorsi muscle.
Anatomy
The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that stem from the spinal cord in the neck. The nerves supply most of the sensation and movement of the arms and hands, with one on each side. Its five roots come from the spaces between the fifth through eighth cervical vertebrae and the first thoracic vertebra. From there, they form a larger structure, then divide, re-combine, and divide again to form smaller nerves and nerve structures as they travel down the armpit. Through the neck and chest, the nerves eventually join and form three cords that include:
Lateral cord
Medial cord
Posterior cord
The posterior cord produces major and minor branches that include:
Axillary nerve
Radial nerve
The minor branches include:
Superior subscapular nerve
Inferior subscapular nerve
Thoracodorsal nerve
Structure and Position
The thoracodorsal nerve branches off the posterior cord in the armpit and travels down, following the subscapular artery, to the latissimus dorsi muscle.
It connects to the upper arm, stretches across the back of the armpit, forming the axillary arch, and then expands into a large triangle that wraps around the ribs and the back.
The thoracodorsal nerve lies deep in the latissimus dorsi, and the lower edge typically reaches close to the waist.
Variations
There is a standard location and course of the thoracodorsal nerve, but individual nerves are not the same in everyone.
The nerve typically branches off the posterior cord of the brachial plexus from three different points.
The lats can have a rare anatomical variation known as a Langer’s arch, which is an extra part that connects to muscles or connective tissue of the upper arm beneath the common connecting point.
In individuals with this abnormality, the thoracodorsal nerve supplies function/innervation) to the arch. (Ahmed M. Al Maksoud et al., 2015)
Function
The latissimus dorsi muscle cannot function without the thoracodorsal nerve. The muscle and nerve help:
Stabilize the back.
Pull the body weight up when climbing, swimming, or doing pull-ups.
Assist with breathing by expanding the rib cage during inhalation and contracting when exhaling. (Encyclopaedia Britannica. 2023)
Rotate the arm inward.
Pull the arm toward the center of the body.
Extend the shoulders by working with the teres major, teres minor, and posterior deltoid muscles.
Bring down the shoulder girdle by arching the spine.
Pain that can be shooting, stabbing, or electrical sensations.
Numbness, tingling.
Weakness and loss of function in the associated muscles and body parts, including wrist and finger drop.
Because of the nerve’s path through the armpit, doctors have to be cautious of the anatomical variants so they don’t inadvertently damage a nerve during breast cancer procedures, including axillary dissection.
The procedure is performed to examine or remove lymph nodes and is used in staging breast cancer and in treatment.
According to a study, 11% of individuals with axillary lymph node dissection suffered damage to the nerve. (Roser Belmonte et al., 2015)
Breast Reconstruction
In breast reconstruction surgery, the lats can be used as a flap over the implant.
Depending on the circumstances, the thoracodorsal nerve can be left intact or severed.
There is some evidence that leaving the nerve intact can cause the muscle to contract and dislocate the implant.
An intact thoracodorsal nerve may also cause atrophy of the muscle, which can lead to shoulder and arm weakness.
Graft Uses
A portion of the thoracodorsal nerve is commonly used in nerve graft reconstruction to restore function after injury, which includes the following:
Musculocutaneous nerve
Accessory nerve
Axillary nerve
The nerve can also be used to restore nerve function to the triceps muscle in the arm.
Rehabilitation
If the thoracodorsal nerve is injured or damaged, treatments can include:
Braces or splints.
Physical therapy to improve range of motion, flexibility, and muscle strength.
If there is compression, surgery may be required to alleviate the pressure.
Exploring Integrative Medicine
References
Chu B, Bordoni B. Anatomy, Thorax, Thoracodorsal Nerves. [Updated 2023 Jul 24]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539761/
Al Maksoud, A. M., Barsoum, A. K., & Moneer, M. M. (2015). Langer’s arch: a rare anomaly affects axillary lymphadenectomy. Journal of surgical case reports, 2015(12), rjv159. doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjv159
Belmonte, R., Monleon, S., Bofill, N., Alvarado, M. L., Espadaler, J., & Royo, I. (2015). Long thoracic nerve injury in breast cancer patients treated with axillary lymph node dissection. Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 23(1), 169–175. doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2338-5
Kwon, S. T., Chang, H., & Oh, M. (2011). Anatomic basis of interfascicular nerve splitting of innervated partial latissimus dorsi muscle flap. Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS, 64(5), e109–e114. doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2010.12.008
Individuals that have gone through a back injury may develop a synovial spinal cyst as a way to protect the spine that could cause pain symptoms and sensations. Can knowing the signs help healthcare providers develop a thorough treatment plan to relieve pain, prevent worsening of the condition and other spinal conditions?
Spinal Synovial Cysts
Spinal synovial cysts are benign fluid-filled sacs that develop in the spine’s joints. They form because of spinal degeneration or injury. The cysts can form anywhere in the spine, but most occur in the lumbar region/lower back. They typically develop in the facet joints or junctions that keep the vertebrae/spinal bones interlocked.
Symptoms
In most cases, synovial cysts don’t cause symptoms. However, the doctor or specialist will want to monitor for signs of degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or cauda equina syndrome. When symptoms do present, they typically cause radiculopathy or nerve compression, which can cause back pain, weakness, numbness, and radiating pain caused by the irritation. The severity of symptoms depends on the size and location of the cyst. Synovial cysts can affect one side of the spine or both and can form at one spinal segment or at multiple levels.
Effects Can Include
Radiculopathy symptoms can develop if the cyst or inflammation caused by the cyst comes into contact with a spinal nerve root. This can cause sciatica, weakness, numbness, or difficulty controlling certain muscles.
Neurogenic claudication/impingement and inflammation of spinal nerves can cause cramping, pain, and/or tingling in the lower back, legs, hips, and buttocks. (Martin J. Wilby et al., 2009)
If the spinal cord is involved, it may cause myelopathy/severe spinal cord compression that can cause numbness, weakness, and balance problems. (Dong Shin Kim et al., 2014)
Symptoms related to cauda equina, including bowel and/or bladder problems, leg weakness, and saddle anesthesia/loss of sensation in the thighs, buttocks, and perineum, can present but are rare, as are synovial cysts in the middle back and neck. If thoracic and cervical synovial cysts develop, they can cause symptoms like numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the affected area.
Causes
Spinal synovial cysts are generally caused by degenerative changes like osteoarthritis that develop in a joint over time. With regular wear and tear, facet joint cartilage/the material in a joint that provides protection, a smooth surface, friction reduction, and shock absorption begins to waste away. As the process continues, the synovium can form a cyst.
Traumas, large and small, have inflammatory and degenerative effects on joints that can result in the formation of a cyst.
Around a third of individuals who have a spinal synovial cyst also have spondylolisthesis.
This condition is when a vertebrae slips out of place or out of alignment onto the vertebra underneath.
It is a sign of spinal instability.
Instability can occur in any spine area, but L4-5 are the most common levels.
This segment of the spine takes most of the upper body weight.
Epidural corticosteroid injections can reduce inflammation and could be an option to relieve pain.
Patients are recommended to receive no more than three injections per year.
Surgical Options
For severe or persistent cases, a doctor may recommend decompression surgery to remove the cyst and surrounding bone to relieve pressure on the nerve root. Surgical options range from minimally invasive endoscopic procedures to larger, open surgeries. The best surgical option varies based on the severity of the situation and whether associated disorders are present. Surgical options include:
Laminectomy – Removal of the bony structure that protects and covers the spinal canal/lamina.
Hemilaminectomy – A modified laminectomy where a smaller portion of the lamina is removed.
Facetectomy – The removal of part of the affected facet joint where the synovial cyst is located, usually following a laminectomy or hemilaminectomy.
Fusionof the facet joints and vertebra – Decreases vertebral mobility in the injured area.
Most individuals experience immediate pain relief following a laminectomy or hemilaminectomy.
Fusion can take six to nine months to heal completely.
If surgery is performed without fusion where the cyst originated, the pain could return, and another cyst could form within two years.
Surgery Complications include infection, bleeding, and injury to the spinal cord or nerve root.
How I Gained My Mobility Back With Chiropractic
References
Wilby, M. J., Fraser, R. D., Vernon-Roberts, B., & Moore, R. J. (2009). The prevalence and pathogenesis of synovial cysts within the ligamentum flavum in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and radiculopathy. Spine, 34(23), 2518–2524. doi.org/10.1097/BRS.0b013e3181b22bd0
Kim, D. S., Yang, J. S., Cho, Y. J., & Kang, S. H. (2014). Acute myelopathy caused by a cervical synovial cyst. Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society, 56(1), 55–57. doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2014.56.1.55
Epstein, N. E., & Baisden, J. (2012). The diagnosis and management of synovial cysts: Efficacy of surgery versus cyst aspiration. Surgical neurology international, 3(Suppl 3), S157–S166. doi.org/10.4103/2152-7806.98576
Can individuals with sensory nerve dysfunction incorporate nonsurgical decompression to restore sensory-mobility function to their bodies?
Introduction
The spinal column in the musculoskeletal system comprises bones, joints, and nerves that work together with various muscles and tissues to ensure that the spinal cord is protected. The spinal cord is part of the central nervous system where the nerve roots are spread out to the upper and lower body parts that supply sensory-motor functions. This allows the body to move and function without pain or discomfort. However, when the body and spine ages or when a person is dealing with injuries, the nerve roots can become irritated and cause weird sensations like numbness or tingling, often correlating with body pain. This can cause a socio-economic burden on many individuals and, if not treated right away, can lead to chronic pain. To that point, it can lead to many individuals dealing with body extremity pain associated with sensory nerve dysfunction. This causes many individuals dealing with musculoskeletal disorders to start looking for treatment. Today’s article examines how nerve dysfunction affects the extremities and how nonsurgical decompression can help reduce nerve dysfunction to allow mobility back to the upper and lower limbs. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide nonsurgical solutions like decompression to help individuals with nerve dysfunction. We also inform patients how nonsurgical decompression can restore mobility-sensory to the upper and lower extremities. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the sensory nerve dysfunction. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
How Nerve Dysfunction Affects The Extremities
Do you experience tingling or numb sensations in your hands or feet that don’t want to go away? Do you feel pain in different back portions that can only be relieved through stretching or resting? Or does it hurt to walk for long distances that you feel like you need to rest constantly? Many pain-like scenarios are associated with sensory nerve dysfunction that can affect the upper and lower extremities. When many individuals experience sensory nerve dysfunction and deal with weird sensations in their extremities, many think it is due to musculoskeletal pain in their neck, shoulders, or back. This is only part of the issue, as many environmental factors can be associated with sensory nerve pain, as the nerve roots are being compressed and agitated, causing sensory nerve dysfunction in the extremities. Since the nerve roots are spread out from the spinal cord, the brain sends the neuron information to the nerve roots to allow sensory-mobility function in the upper and lower extremities. This allows the body to be mobile without discomfort or pain and functional through daily activities. However, when many individuals start to do repetitive motions that cause the spinal disc to be compressed constantly, it can lead to potential disc herniation and musculoskeletal disorders. Since numerous nerve roots are spread to the different extremities, when the main nerve roots are aggravated, it can send pain signals to each extremity. Hence, many people are dealing with nerve entrapment that leads to lower back, buttock, and leg pain that can affect their daily routine. (Karl et al., 2022) At the same time, many people with sciatica are dealing with sensory nerve dysfunction that affects their walking ability. With sciatica, it can be associated with spinal disc pathology and causes many individuals to seek treatment. (Bush et al., 1992)
Sciatica Secrets Revealed-Video
When it comes to looking for treatment to reduce sensory nerve dysfunction, many individuals will opt for nonsurgical solutions to minimize the pain-like symptoms and reduce the pain signals that are causing the upper and lower extremities to suffer. Nonsurgical treatment solutions like decompression can help restore sensory nerve function through gentle traction by causing the spinal disc to lay off the aggravated nerve root and start the body’s natural healing process. At the same time, it helps reduce musculoskeletal disorders from returning. The video above shows how sciatica associated with sensory nerve dysfunction can be decreased through nonsurgical treatments to allow the body’s extremities to feel better.
Nonsurgical treatments can help reduce low back pain associated with sensory nerve dysfunction to restore sensory-motor function to the upper and lower extremities. Many individuals who incorporate nonsurgical treatments like decompression as part of their health and wellness routine can see improvement after consecutive treatment. (Chou et al., 2007) Since many healthcare practitioners incorporate nonsurgical treatments like decompression into their practices, there has been quite an improvement in pain management. (Bronfort et al., 2008)
When many individuals start to use nonsurgical decompression for sensory nerve dysfunction, many will see improvement in their pain, mobility, and activities of their daily living. (Gose et al., 1998). What spinal decompression does for the nerve roots is that it helps the affected disc that is aggravating the nerve root, pulls the disc back to its original position, and rehydrates it. (Ramos & Martin, 1994) When many individuals start thinking about their health and wellness, nonsurgical treatments can be effective for them due to their affordable cost and how they can be combined with other therapies to manage better the pain associated with nerve dysfunction affecting their body extremities.
References
Bronfort, G., Haas, M., Evans, R., Kawchuk, G., & Dagenais, S. (2008). Evidence-informed management of chronic low back pain with spinal manipulation and mobilization. Spine J, 8(1), 213-225. doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2007.10.023
Bush, K., Cowan, N., Katz, D. E., & Gishen, P. (1992). The natural history of sciatica associated with disc pathology. A prospective study with clinical and independent radiologic follow-up. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 17(10), 1205-1212. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199210000-00013
Chou, R., Huffman, L. H., American Pain, S., & American College of, P. (2007). Nonpharmacologic therapies for acute and chronic low back pain: a review of the evidence for an American Pain Society/American College of Physicians clinical practice guideline. Ann Intern Med, 147(7), 492-504. doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-147-7-200710020-00007
Gose, E. E., Naguszewski, W. K., & Naguszewski, R. K. (1998). Vertebral axial decompression therapy for pain associated with herniated or degenerated discs or facet syndrome: an outcome study. Neurol Res, 20(3), 186-190. doi.org/10.1080/01616412.1998.11740504
Karl, H. W., Helm, S., & Trescot, A. M. (2022). Superior and Middle Cluneal Nerve Entrapment: A Cause of Low Back and Radicular Pain. Pain Physician, 25(4), E503-E521. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35793175
Ramos, G., & Martin, W. (1994). Effects of vertebral axial decompression on intradiscal pressure. J Neurosurg, 81(3), 350-353. doi.org/10.3171/jns.1994.81.3.0350
Many individuals attribute to some degree, their neck or back pain to unhealthy posture. Can knowing the causes and underlying factors help guide lifestyle adjustments and seeking medical rehabilitative treatment?
Unhealthy Posture Causes
Numerous factors can cause individuals to practice unhealthy postures regularly.
Unhealthy posture can also be brought on by an injury, illness, or genetics.
A combination of these factors is also common.
Practicing healthy posture is a form of exercise where the muscles support the skeleton in stable and efficient alignment that is present in stillness and movement.
Injury and Muscle Guarding
After an injury, muscles can spasm to protect the body and help stabilize injuries and protect against further injury.
However, movements become limited and can lead to pain symptoms.
Prolonged muscle spasms lead to weakened muscles over time.
The imbalance between muscles guarding the injury and those still operating normally can lead to posture problems.
Musculoskeletal treatment with massage, chiropractic, and physical therapy can help restore optimal functioning.
Muscle Tension and Weakness
If certain muscle groups become weak or tense, posture can be affected, and pain symptoms can develop.
Muscle weakness or tension can develop when individuals hold a prolonged position day after day or when performing routine tasks and chores in a way that places tension on the muscles or uses them in an unbalanced way.
Postural retraining and physical therapy adjustments can help strengthen the muscles and relieve pain symptoms.
Daily Habits
As individuals find ways to accommodate muscle spasms, weakness, tension, and/or imbalances, the mind and body can forget and abandon healthy posture.
The body then begins compensating using alternate, awkward, and counterproductive muscle contractions and stretching that compromise body and spinal alignment.
Use of Technology
Technology – whether sitting at a desk/workstation, using a tablet or cell phone, or working with several devices can gradually shift the body out of alignment. (Parisa Nejati, et al., 2015)
Individuals constantly looking down at their phone may develop a text neck, a condition in which the neck is held in flexion or forward tilting too long, which can lead to pain.
Mental Attitude and Stress
Individuals under stress or are experiencing stressful situations can begin to have posture problems. (Shwetha Nair et al., 2015)
Stress can contribute to over-contracting muscles, which can cause muscle tension, shallow breathing, posture problems, and pain symptoms.
Being aware of body position and correcting and adjusting posture can help to counteract stress. (Shwetha Nair et al., 2015)
Wearing down the outside or inside of the shoes faster from things like weight-bearing habits will imbalance kinetic forces that translate up the ankle, knee, hip, and lower back leading to pain symptoms in any or all of these joints.
Heredity and Genetics
Sometimes the cause is hereditary.
For example, Scheuermann’s disease is a condition in which adolescent males develop a pronounced kyphosis curve in the thoracic spine. (Nemours. KidsHealth. 2022)
Consult Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic for an evaluation, and let us help you by developing a personalized treatment and rehabilitation program.
The Path To Healing
References
Czaprowski, D., Stoliński, Ł., Tyrakowski, M., Kozinoga, M., & Kotwicki, T. (2018). Non-structural misalignments of body posture in the sagittal plane. Scoliosis and spinal disorders, 13, 6. doi.org/10.1186/s13013-018-0151-5
Nejati, P., Lotfian, S., Moezy, A., & Nejati, M. (2015). The study of correlation between forward head posture and neck pain in Iranian office workers. International journal of occupational medicine and environmental health, 28(2), 295–303. doi.org/10.13075/ijomeh.1896.00352
Nair, S., Sagar, M., Sollers, J., 3rd, Consedine, N., & Broadbent, E. (2015). Do slumped and upright postures affect stress responses? A randomized trial. Health psychology : official journal of the Division of Health Psychology, American Psychological Association, 34(6), 632–641. doi.org/10.1037/hea0000146
Silva, A. M., de Siqueira, G. R., & da Silva, G. A. (2013). Implications of high-heeled shoes on body posture of adolescents. Revista paulista de pediatria : orgao oficial da Sociedade de Pediatria de Sao Paulo, 31(2), 265–271. doi.org/10.1590/s0103-05822013000200020
Can individuals with low back pain find nonsurgical solutions to restore lumbar mobility and stability to the lower limbs?
Introduction
As one of the top three common problems that many young and older adults experience at some point in their lives, low back pain can have a huge impact on their routine. Back pain can often be due to normal factors like lifting heavy objects, being in a reclined position, or being physically inactive. Other times, it can be due to traumatic injuries, musculoskeletal disorders, or physical injuries. When many people are dealing with low back pain, many will often take over-the-counter medication to reduce the pain-like symptoms that they are experiencing. However, that is only a temporary solution, as the pain does come back through repetitive motions that can lead to a life of disability. To that point, many individuals, especially working adults, will have to call off work to get their lower back pain treated. This causes a socio-economic burden for many, and it can be miserable. Today’s article will examine what causes back pain and how various nonsurgical tips and tricks can reduce low back pain. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide multiple nonsurgical solutions to ease low back pain in many individuals. We also inform our patients of tips and tricks to reduce common back pain symptoms causing lumbar issues. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
What Causes Back Pain?
Do you feel constant aches or pains in your lower back after a long workday? Do you feel stiffness in your lower back muscles that hurts when stretched? Or are you in constant pain that you are unable to function throughout the entire day? Many of these scenarios that people are experiencing are correlated with low back pain. Since the back in the musculoskeletal system is a complicated structure consisting of bones, joints, ligaments, and muscles, it can succumb to various injuries, sprains, and aches, leading to lower back pain. Many individuals dealing with back pain are non-specific and can affect the state of the lumbar spinal discs. When many individuals have various physical activities, they will have disc abnormalities and low back pain. (Jensen et al., 1994) At the same time, many individuals will notice that a series of sequelae develop various pain-like symptoms that are taken into account and cause functional loss associated with acute or chronic lower back pain that can affect the lower limbs. (Hoy et al., 2014) Some of the other causes of low back pain can be musculoskeletal symptoms that can lead to a life of disability. (Malik et al., 2018) More often than not, many individuals dealing with lower back pain do recover; however, after a while, reoccurrence of lower back pain is common when the same repetitive motions are being performed and when people who had lower back pain in previous encounters will deal with chronic pain and disability. (Hartvigsen et al., 2018) Luckily, numerous treatments can help reduce the pain, like the effects of low back pain, help restore mobility to the lumbar spine, and stabilize the lower limbs.
Diabetic Back Pain Explained- Video
Have you been experiencing muscle stiffness and aches in your lower back that are affecting your lower limbs? Did you lift a heavy object that caused you to strain your back muscles and make it difficult to work? Or were you bending over to pick up an object or tie your shoes so your back muscles are aching? When many individuals are dealing with low back pain from these various scenarios, it can lead to a life of disability and misery when not treated right away. Since low back pain is a pervasive musculoskeletal disorder, many individuals have different diagnoses, which can make it difficult to treat. (Deyo et al., 1990) However, there are numerous ways that many people dealing with low back pain can find the relief they deserve. Many people will often seek various treatments that can reduce low back pain and help them regain their spinal mobility so they can get back to their daily routine. The video above explains how back pain can be associated with autoimmune disorders like diabetes and how various treatments can help reduce pain-like symptoms.
Nonsurgical Tips & Tricks To Reduce Low Back Pain
When it comes to reducing and treating low back pain, many individuals will begin to seek treatment to reduce their low back pain. Many will often go to nonsurgical treatments since they are cost-effective and can be combined with other therapies to relieve musculoskeletal pain. Nonsurgical treatments can range from spinal decompression and chiropractic care to spinal manipulation. (Chou et al., 2017) When many people are finding relief for their lower back pain, some tips and tricks that many people can do to prevent it from flaring up include:
Maintaining a healthy weight and diet
Slowly incorporating exercises
Avoid prolonging activity
Stretch
Sleep on a medium-firm mattress
Continue nonsurgical treatments to reduce the chances of low back pain returning
Maintain good posture
With these tips and tricks, many individuals will begin to notice their lower back pain reducing and promote healthy lifestyle choices.
References
Chou, R., Deyo, R., Friedly, J., Skelly, A., Hashimoto, R., Weimer, M., Fu, R., Dana, T., Kraegel, P., Griffin, J., Grusing, S., & Brodt, E. D. (2017). Nonpharmacologic Therapies for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review for an American College of Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline. Ann Intern Med, 166(7), 493-505. doi.org/10.7326/M16-2459
Deyo, R. A., Cherkin, D., & Conrad, D. (1990). The Back Pain Outcome Assessment Team. Health Serv Res, 25(5), 733-737. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2147670
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Hoy, D., March, L., Brooks, P., Blyth, F., Woolf, A., Bain, C., Williams, G., Smith, E., Vos, T., Barendregt, J., Murray, C., Burstein, R., & Buchbinder, R. (2014). The global burden of low back pain: estimates from the Global Burden of Disease 2010 study. Ann Rheum Dis, 73(6), 968-974. doi.org/10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204428
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Can healthcare providers help many individuals with lumbar disc degeneration find relief through spinal decompression treatments?
Introduction
Many individuals often do everyday motions that can allow the spine to bend, twist, and turn in various ways without feeling pain and discomfort. However, as the body ages, so does the spine, as the spinal discs begin the natural process of degeneration. Since the spinal discs in the spinal column absorb the vertical pressure weight, it stabilizes the upper and lower extremities and provides motion. To that point, when many individuals suffer from various injuries or environmental factors that cause the spinal disc to be compressed, it can lead to low back issues that cause pain and discomfort when a person is doing an activity. Since low back pain is one of the three most common problems that many people worldwide have dealt with, it can become a socio-economic issue that can lead to a life of disability and misery. Low back pain is often correlated with disc degeneration, and the surrounding ligaments and muscle tissues can affect the upper and lower extremities. This causes referred pain to the different musculoskeletal groups, causing many people to seek treatment that can not only be affordable but also effective in reducing the pain. Today’s article looks at the anatomy of the lumbar disc, how disc degeneration affects the lumbar spine, and how spinal decompression can reduce lumbar disc degeneration from causing more pain to the lower back. We speak with certified medical providers who incorporate our patients’ information to provide numerous treatment plans to ease the pain-like symptoms associated with lumbar disc degeneration causing low back pain. We also inform our patients that there are non-surgical options to reduce these pain-like issues correlated with disc degeneration and restore lumbar mobility to the body. We encourage our patients to ask intricated and educational questions to our associated medical providers about the pain-like symptoms they are experiencing correlating with the lower back. Dr. Alex Jimenez, D.C., utilizes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
The Anatomy Of The Lumbar Disc
Do you feel tension or stiffness in your lower back after waking up in the morning? Do you feel sudden or gradual pain from bending down to lift a heavy object that is affecting your lower back? Or do you feel the pain in one location or another in your back that is causing you pain and discomfort in your lumbar spinal region? Many of these pain-like issues are often correlated with disc degeneration combined with low back pain. The spinal disc’s anatomy comprises three elements that work together in a specific pattern to resist forces placed in the lumbar spine. (Martin et al., 2002) Since the lumbar spine is the thickest portion of the back, the spinal disc supports the upper body’s weight while stabilizing the lower body. However, the spinal disc will shrink over time when the body ages. Since degeneration is a natural process, many individuals will begin to feel less mobile, which can cause many issues within the lumbar spine.
How Disc Degeneration Affects The Lumbar Spine
When disc degeneration occurs in the lumbar spine, the spinal disc begins to decrease in volume, and the nutrients that hydrate the disc start to deplete and become compressed. When disc degeneration affects the lumbar spine, the nerve roots from the central system are affected. They can be associated with any particular group of pathological conditions that may irritate the surrounding nerves and produce pain-like symptoms. (Bogduk, 1976) To that point, this causes referred pain in the lower limbs and radiating pain in the lower back. At the same time, glycosphingolipid antibodies are activated in the immune system, causing inflammatory effects. (Brisby et al., 2002) When people are dealing with low back pain associated with disc degeneration, many people will feel their lower back lock up, causing limited mobility and stiffness. At the same time, the surrounding muscle and soft tissues are overstretched and tightened. The spinal disc will also affect the nerve fibers surrounding the spine, leading to nociceptive lower back pain. (Coppes et al., 1997) However, many individuals can find available treatments to reduce low back pain associated with disc degeneration.
An Overview Of Spinal Decompression- Video
Spinal Decompression Can Reduce Lumbar Disc Degeneration
Many individuals can seek out non-surgical treatments to reduce low back pain associated with disc degeneration as it is cost-effective and, through consecutive treatments, can start feeling better. Some non-surgical treatments like spinal decompression can help rehydrate the spinal disc through gentle traction and promote natural healing. Spinal decompression can be manual or mechanical, using negative pressure to increase disc height. (Vanti et al., 2021) This allows many individuals to feel the relief they deserve and feel better over time. Spinal decompression can reduce disc degeneration, stabilize the lumbar spine, and help regain spinal mobility back to the lower portions. (Daniel, 2007) When many individuals begin to take care of their bodies and reduce the chances of low back pain from returning to cause more issues to the back.
References
Bogduk, N. (1976). The anatomy of the lumbar intervertebral disc syndrome. Med J Aust, 1(23), 878-881. www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/135200
Brisby, H., Balague, F., Schafer, D., Sheikhzadeh, A., Lekman, A., Nordin, M., Rydevik, B., & Fredman, P. (2002). Glycosphingolipid antibodies in serum in patients with sciatica. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 27(4), 380-386. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-200202150-00011
Coppes, M. H., Marani, E., Thomeer, R. T., & Groen, G. J. (1997). Innervation of “painful” lumbar discs. Spine (Phila Pa 1976), 22(20), 2342-2349; discussion 2349-2350. doi.org/10.1097/00007632-199710150-00005
Daniel, D. M. (2007). Non-surgical spinal decompression therapy: does the scientific literature support efficacy claims made in the advertising media? Chiropr Osteopat, 15, 7. doi.org/10.1186/1746-1340-15-7
Martin, M. D., Boxell, C. M., & Malone, D. G. (2002). Pathophysiology of lumbar disc degeneration: a review of the literature. Neurosurg Focus, 13(2), E1. doi.org/10.3171/foc.2002.13.2.2
Vanti, C., Turone, L., Panizzolo, A., Guccione, A. A., Bertozzi, L., & Pillastrini, P. (2021). Vertical traction for lumbar radiculopathy: a systematic review. Arch Physiother, 11(1), 7. doi.org/10.1186/s40945-021-00102-5
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