Spinal Stabilization Exercises
Only 20% of the strength of the spinal column is produced by the bones and ligaments, the other 80% is the produced by the muscles that support the spine.
If you injure a disc, joint or ligament in your back the deep muscles
are reflexively inhibited, this quickly leads to weakness. Unfortunately,
this weakness leads to a large decrease in the amount of strength
thereby decreasing the muscle's ability to support the spinal column.
Muscular control of each spinal segment is also quickly lost due to
weakness or muscle guarding (sometimes referred to as “Spasm”).
The combination of these factors is puts further stresses on the already
injured areas increasing the pain
Spondylosis (arthritis of the spine) and Spondylolisthesis (slippage
of one vertebra forward or back on the one below) cause the greatest
degree of instability and spinal stabilization exercises can not only
help reduce pain but also prevent re-occurrence of injury and pain
in the future.
Research has shown stabilization of a spinal segment is provided by
the deepest layer of muscles – the Multifidi in the back and
the Transversus Abdominis in the abdominal region. Our therapists
a trained in the art of exercise prescription and progression, to
help target and strengthen these specific muscle groups.
Our focus in the clinic is on individualized attention for each of
our clients, and for spinal stabilization exercises this is an absolute
necessity.
References
Panjabi M. The stabilising system of the spine, part I: function,
dysfunction, adaptation and enhancement. J Spinal Disord. 1992;5:
383–389.
Wilke H-J, Wolf S, Claes L, Arand M, Wiesend A: Stability Increase of the Lumbar Spine With Different Muscle Groups. Spine 1995;20(2):192-198.
O’Sullivan PB, Twomey LT, Allison GT. Evaluation of specific stabilising exercise in the treatment of chronic low back pain with radiologic diagnosis of spondylolysis or spondylolisthesis. Spine. 1997; 22:2959–2967.
Richardson C A, Jull G A 1995 Muscle control - pain control What exercises would you prescribe? Manual Therapy 1:1-9
