"Healing a Bulging Disc Pain"
By Tommy Hoffman, Licensed Physical Therapist
"Core Stability for Bulging Disc Pain"
When core stability of the lumbar spine is poor or unable to handle the physical stress and strain of everyday activity, back pain is sure to follow. We must have adequate core stability to manage the load placed on the lumbar spine during times of use.
Core stability refers to the primary stabilizers of the lumbar spine and how they keep your trunk stable during dynamic activity. It denotes how the lumbar spine maintains the center of gravity over its base of support.
The primary core stabilizers are namely; the quadratus lumborum, transverse abdominis, and multifidus muscle(s). Other great stabilizers of the lumbar spine not to be neglected are the erectors spinae muscles, internal and external obliques, and the rectus abdominis muscle.
Each of these muscles serve a function in their own right. And each are required for proper functioning of the thoracolumbar trunk. In order to operate at peak performance, each of these muscles must be strong, flexible, aerobically conditioned, and healthy enough to bear the significant burden of lifting, carrying, jogging, skiing, etc.
Since we are only as strong as our weakest link, anyone of these muscles (in particular, the primary core stabilizers) can also be a detriment to our good health as they are not operating at levels required to meet expected demands. These demands vary in nature from individual to individual.
"How do You Speed Up Healing Back Pain?"
Healing back pain can be hastened with increased core stability. The two should go hand in hand as part of your overall goal to heal back pain or symptoms are sure to return again and again as weak lumbar stabilizers perform below expectations.
Since stability is the name of the game, re-conditioning these muscles often times include the use of a therex ball or swiss ball that is incorporated into a varied exercise program. These exercises may differ quite a bit, and sort of focus on creating a “balancing” act for your lumbar spine. The purpose of these exercises is to stimulate and strengthen the targeted muscles through proper recruitment of said muscle fibers.
These exercises can be done in supine, prone, quadraped, tall kneeling, sitting, and standing.
An excellent way to recruit the transverse abdominis is by working on achieving the “neutral” spine and then attempting to bring the naval back towards the spine and up under the rib cage. Once this can be performed effectively, new positions can be tried that are more challenging for the individual.
Many times, people with lower back pain stemming from poor core stability either have surgical intervention or continue to live with chronic pain symptoms because the real cause is not identified and adequately corrected.
As we ignore core stability, and institute only palliative forms of treatment, back pain is almost certain to return and become chronic in nature.
The cornerstone of any good therapeutic program is core stabilization training. Please visit a qualified healthcare professional for the proper diagnosis and treatment of your back pain condition.
Good Luck,
Tommy Hoffman, P.T.
"Don't spend more time with bulging disc back pain by not finding out the truth today!"