Core Stabilization May Improve Overall Health

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by: bsullivan
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Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 Time: 4:28 PM
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More and more progressive health care professionals are using bio-feedback devices like the Stabilizer to help improve patients' core strength. Dr. David Nygaard uses it in his practice at Atlas Family Chiropractic in Asheville, North Carolina.

"I instruct my patients to use the Stabilizer along with core-strengthening exercises to help increase strength, improve mobility, range of motion and general quality of life. These exercises also help chiropractic adjustments to be more effective and can help the adjustments ‘hold" longer,' " says Nygaard.

The core-strengthening exercises gently exercise the three areas of the spine: the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. By doing exercises that strengthen muscles used in common forms of movement a foundation is laid for overall spinal health.

"After examination, I recommend different exercises based on which areas we want to strengthen. Some patients have strong lumbar musculature but need to work on their neck, so neck exercises are prescribed," explains Nygaard.

The Stabilizer is Interactive

The Stabilizer is a patented pressure bio-feedback device that provides the patient and doctor with visual "feedback" that reinforces proper muscle contraction in the spine as exercises are performed. "The great thing about the Stabilizer is that it gets patients involved in their treatment. I have found that they really enjoy being proactive," adds Nygaard.

The Stabilizer is low tech, easy to use and economical while being backed by cutting-edge research. Visual feedback is provided in the form of a gauge that keeps the patient focused and involved. The gauge provides a clear and inexpensive way to validate proper muscle performance and control. And, because it is relatively inexpensive, patients can add it to their home regimen.

Research has shown that co-contraction or working together the lower back and abdominal muscles is important to spinal stability. It is important that local muscle systems contract in the lower vertebrae before major movement occurs in global systems. The global systems create torque that allows the body to move. The inflated air bag in the Stabilizer registers pressure changes if other muscles are overcompensating for local muscle systems.

Easy Exercises

For many of the basic core-strengthening exercises, the patient lays on an elevated table with a small pillow under their neck and knees up in the supine position. With legs bent, shoulders width apart and feet flat on the table, the patient lifts their lower back up to allow placement of the air bag across the spine. The air bladder inflates to a specific setting. While trying to minimize torso movement, the patient uses subtle pelvic-tilting movements to find a neutral pelvic position. They then draw their abdominal wall towards their spine while continuing to breathe normally.

Once basic exercises like this one are mastered different muscle contractions may be added. Arm and leg movement while seated, standing against a wall or laying down are often a next step. "As patients get used to using the device and doing the exercises, more complex exercises and stretches are added. This keeps it interesting and makes the process continually challenging. Eventually the patient can progress to a more traditional, resistance-type training to continue strengthening their core," explains Nygaard.

Patient Facts

Disc damage and degeneration may have its cause in the gradual loss of proper contraction and stabilization of muscles over time. Using strengthening exercises can allow the spine to be healthier, longer, allowing the spinal column to function properly.

Patients with back pain who have been taught co-contraction strategies and core-strengthening exercises have shown dramatically improved status in studies that monitor follow-up appointments. Conversely, patients who don't use bio-feedback are often unaware that they are performing their exercises incorrectly. "By having precise monitoring of muscles during exercises, the patient is sure to make the most of their time and effort while reducing the possibility of doing damage," says Nygaard.

For more information Visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net

About the Author

Chris Wingate
Freelance journalist, outdoorsman and adrenalin junkie, Chris can be found exploring the forests of the South East where he is a white water raft guide on the French Broad River. When not wet or covered in mud Chris produces shows for his local public access TV station URTV and plays bass in an alt-country band "Hobos and Lace".
For more information Visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net