Nashua Low Back Pain Helped by Exercise that Helps Lower Limb Proprioception and Balance

Low back pain (LBP) is a spinal condition that affects millions of people worldwide, causing not only pain but also limiting daily activities and quality of life. Chiropractic is often an effective stopping point for many sufferers in their quest for effective management, and recent research sheds light on a possibly crucial 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 provides valuable insights into how proprioception - the body's capacity to sense its own position in space - may affect postural sway and stability, particularly in those who suffer with low back pain. (1)

For low back pain patients and their Nashua chiropractor at Moriarty Chiropractic seeking effective ways to deal with and manage back pain, understanding the role of lower limb proprioception can be a game-changer. Proprioception entails the sensory information that allows our body to sense its position, making it vital for keeping balance, directing movements, and ensuring stability. Disruptions or impairments in proprioceptive feedback can contribute to more 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 key 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, reduce postural sway, and ultimately, ease pain and discomfort associated with low back pain.

EXERCISES TO ENHANCE LOWER LIMB PROPRIOCEPTION

Implementing exercises (after a talk with your Nashua chiropractor!) designed to enhance proprioception in the lower limbs can be helpful for individuals with LBP. Here are a few exercises that might help in boosting proprioceptive capabilities and stimulating better postural control:

• Single-Leg Balance: Standing on one foot, try to maintain 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. This helps improve balance and coordination.
• Squats on Unstable Surface: Doing squats on a cushioned mat or balance board can help by involving stabilizing muscles.

Keep in mind that while exercises concentrating on lower limb proprioception can be quite beneficial, they are a part of an effective Nashua 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 incorporated. Recall 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 Moriarty Chiropractic

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Nate McKee on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the effective use of The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management in treating low back pain patients with spinal stenosis.

Schedule your Nashua chiropractic appointment today. We look forward to helping you.