Author: cajunchiro3939

You may recall last month, we talked about the relationship between low back pain and balance, particularly our unfortunate increased tendency to fall as we “mature.”  This month, we’re going to look at ways to improve our balance by learning specific exercises that utilize the parts of our nervous system that regulate balance or, proprioception. …

What do low back pain and balance have to do with each other?  Well, a lot!  First (and most obvious), poor balance can lead to falling, which is the number one cause of injuries after the age of 70 (which includes low back pain). Unfortunately, as we age, we lose both balance AND bone density…

            So, what does bone density have to do with low back pain?  The relationship between bone density and back pain is quite intimate. In fact, when the degree of bone density declines to the point of fracture, back pain becomes very real. The classic condition and cause of spinal pain associated with the loss…

I can’t tell you how many times a day this question is asked!  Obviously, there are MANY causes of low back pain (LBP) but you may be surprised about some of the following: 1.  Trauma:  Let’s start with the easy one – falling down, over lifting, twisting, pushing, pulling, bending over, sporting activities, work activities,…

Have you ever noticed every time you go running, you have lower back pain either during or after the run? If so, I’m sure you’re wondering if you should quit running, find an alternative sport, or simply stop all activity and adopt a sedentary lifestyle.  If you love the benefits of running and want to…

“Doc, I try to do my exercises but I have to hit the ground running in the morning….to get the kids ready for the school bus….I have morning meetings….I’m not a morning person….I’m pulled in 100 directions during the day….I forget about them until I’m in bed….I exercise on my job and that’s enough….” I’m…

Low back pain (LBP) can have many causes such as genetics, acquired abuses, body type (especially obesity – body mass index or BMI >30), gender, as well as cultural aspects that predispose one to acquire low back trouble. The answer, like the cause is – you guessed it – multifactorial.  Since we can’t change our…

Traction is a common form of treatment for patients with low back pain.  By definition, traction is the “act of pulling a body part.”  That basically means traction can be applied to an arm, leg, finger, toe…..virtually any body part that one can get a hold of.  Here, the focus of traction is being applied…

Low back pain is a very common problem affecting 80-90% of all of us at some point in our lifetime.  Why is that you ask?  There are many reasons. One of the biggest reasons is that we are 2-legged animals carrying 2/3rds of our weight above our waist.  Studies have shown deterioration or arthritis occurs…

“I was digging a hole in my garden and hit a rock with the shovel.  After clearing the dirt from around the rock, I bent over and reached into the hole.  I couldn’t get a good grip on the rock and had to twist my body to get my arm under it.  As I started…