April 2022 Healthy News from Manahawkin Chiropractic Center Words Describing Back Pain and Exercises to Strengthen the Multifidi Are Important
“Why are you asking me all these questions, doc?”
Our Manahawkin chiropractic patients are central to our practice. We want to understand each of our patients and your pain experience well, treat you well, and be sure you are satisfied with your care and outcome. That’s why we have you to describe your pain to us, sometimes several times and in a variety of different ways! Words mean different things to different people: “discomfort” to one may signify “pain” to another while “stiffness” means “pain” or “discomfort” to a another. It’s true! Researchers did a deep-dive into these different words and their meanings to patients. An example with regards to the description of “feeling”: pain was sharp/shooting, discomfort signified dull/tingling, stiffness was tight/restricted. (1) It is beneficial for us to know our patient’s experience with pain to better meet expectations and enhance satisfaction with care. Patients who went to an integrated hospital for care of their musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms assessed their pain as 5/10 (10 being greatest pain) and reported multiple pain locations (9 of 17 participants), low back pain (13 of 17), and neck pain (8 of 17). Those are quite typical of rationales patients seek chiropractic care! In this setting, because patients trusted their main physician, patients were satisfied with the collaboration amongst the various healthcare team members. Patients valued consistency in care from one caregiving chiropractor. (2) Manahawkin Chiropractic Center knows our patients value - and can expect - these same things from us: consistency, care, collaboration, and results!
Manahawkin CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Standing Exercise for Multifidus Muscle Strengthening Works
Back pain. It’s a simple description that may stem from a multitude of factors including the muscles of the spine, those seen and unseen. The multifidus muscles are such unseen muscles, smaller, deep muscles that run alongside the spine from the cervical spine to the sacrum. These muscles aid movements like lateral (side) flexion and rotation of the spine when contracted. (3) Lately, researchers proposed that the multifidi may be a potential source of back pain since they are described as being stiffer in low back pain sufferers. Low back pain is associated with lumbodorsal musculature (which incorporates the multifidus muscle) fatigue. Standing back extension exercise fatigued the multifidus sufficiently which may prevent low back pain initiated by muscle fatigue. (4) “Superman” (on-the-floor) exercises are well known. Standing back extension and “superman” exercises are newly documented to be equally beneficial in strengthening these multifidus muscles. (5) That’s great news! Manahawkin back pain sufferers can do simple, standing exercises like this anywhere! The multifidus muscles benefit!
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Paula Hugulet on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she details the value of improving muscle strength and function as part of back pain treatment via the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.
CONTACT Manahawkin Chiropractic Center
Make your next Manahawkin chiropractic appointment today. Your words will be heard. Your multifidus muscles will be directed in proper exercise to lessen and potentially avert back pain. Manahawkin Chiropractic Center will ask you questions, and you are urged to ask Manahawkin Chiropractic Center questions, too!