Low back pain (LBP) is a spinal condition that impacts
millions of people globally, causing
not only discomfort but also limiting activities
of daily living and quality of life. Chiropractic is often an effective stopping point for many sufferers in their search
for effective management, and new
research sheds light on a potentially important
aspect of low back pain treatment and prevention - the part lower limb
proprioception plays in 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 ability to sense
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 New Roads chiropractor
at New Roads Chiropractic Center seeking effective ways to deal with and manage back pain, grasping the role
of lower limb proprioception can be a game-changer. Proprioception involves
the sensory information that permits our body to sense its
position, making it indispensable for upholding
balance, coordinating movements, and ensuring
stability. Disruptions or impairments in proprioceptive feedback can contribute
to greater postural sway, which could potentially exacerbate New Roads back pain.
The research highlights a significant
correlation between lower limb proprioception deficits and voluntary postural
control challenges in low back pain patients. This suggests
that addressing proprioceptive impairments could be a crucial
part 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, alleviate pain and discomfort associated
with low back pain.
EXERCISES TO ENHANCE LOWER LIMB PROPRIOCEPTION
Implementing exercises (after a talk with your New Roads chiropractor!) designed to enhance
proprioception in the lower limbs can be beneficial for
individuals who have low back pain. 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 maintain
balance for 30 seconds. You can increase the challenge by closing your eyes
or standing on an unstable surface.
- 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. This helps enhance balance and
coordination.
- Squats on Unstable Surface: Doing squats on
a cushioned mat or balance board can help by engaging
stabilizing muscles.
Keep in mind that while exercises focusing
on lower limb proprioception can be quite beneficial, they
are a part of an overall New Roads 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, specifically 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 New Roads Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes
the effectiveness of The Cox® Technic System of
Spinal Pain Management in treating low back pain patients with
spinal stenosis.
Make your New Roads chiropractic
appointment now. We look forward to helping you.