Auburn Low Back Pain Helped by Exercise that Helps Lower Limb Proprioception and Balance
Low back pain (LBP) is a spinal condition that impacts millions of people globally, instigating not only pain but also limiting activities of daily living and quality of life. Chiropractic is often an effective stop for many sufferers in their search for effective management, and recent research sheds light on a possibly important aspect of low back pain treatment and prevention - the role of lower limb proprioception and its relationship with voluntary postural control.
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF LOWER LIMB PROPRIOCEPTION IN MANAGING LOW BACK PAIN
Recent findings published in the Journal of Motor Behavior explore this connection in depth. The study highlights beneficial insights into how proprioception - the body's capacity to perceive its own position in space - may affect postural sway and stability, particularly in individuals suffering from low back pain. (1)
For low back pain patients and their Auburn chiropractor at Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. seeking effective ways to deal with and manage back pain, grasping the role of lower limb proprioception can be a game-changer. Proprioception concerns the sensory information that permits our body to sense its position, making it essential for upholding balance, directing movements, and ensuring stability. Disruptions or impairments in proprioceptive feedback can contribute to increased postural sway, which could potentially exacerbate low back pain.
The research stresses a substantial correlation between lower limb proprioception deficits and voluntary postural control difficulties in low back pain patients. This hints that addressing proprioceptive impairments could be a crucial component of comprehensive low back pain management strategies. Through targeted interventions designed to improve proprioceptive awareness and function in the lower limbs, it may be possible to improve postural control, decrease postural sway, and ultimately, ease pain and discomfort associated with LBP.
EXERCISES TO ENHANCE LOWER LIMB PROPRIOCEPTION
Implementing exercises (after a talk with your Auburn chiropractor!) designed to improve proprioception in the lower limbs can be beneficial for individuals with LBP. Here are a few exercises that might help in boosting proprioceptive skills and promoting better postural control:
- Single-Leg Balance: Standing on one foot, try to keep balance for 30 seconds. Close your eye or stand on an unstable surface id you’d like to challenge yourself.
- Heel-to-Toe Walk: Slowly walk in a straight line, placing the heel of one foot right in front of the toes of the other foot to enhance balance and coordination.
- Squats on Unstable Surface: Performing squats on a cushioned mat or balance board can be beneficial by engaging stabilizing muscles.
Keep in mind that while exercises focusing on lower limb proprioception can offer benefits, they are a part of an overall Auburn chiropractic treatment plan to manage low back pain. Spinal alignment, muscle strength, flexibility, and overall physical health, also play critical roles in the successful treatment and prevention of LBP while gentle, safe chiropractic spinal manipulation, particularly Cox® Technic spinal manipulation, and nutrition are included. Remember the paper by Smith and Olding about the effectiveness of Cox® Technic spinal manipulation in improving mobility in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis. (2)
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he details the effective use of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in treating low back pain patients with spinal stenosis.
Schedule your Auburn chiropractic appointment now. We look forward to helping you.
