Exercise at work to prevent low back pain

More jobs now require prolonged sitting which has been associated with loss of the lumbar lordosis, intervertebral disc (IVD) compression, and height loss, possibly increasing the risk of lower back pain. There are numerous studies suggest that exercise can play an important role in preventing occupational and non-occupational low back pain. An innovative approach was published in the April issue of The Spine Journal that used an office chair exercise that is performed while seated. The exercise provides a brief decompression of the lumbar spine by moving forward on the chair seat, placing the hands on the seat of the chair, pressing downward with the arms to take pressure off the lumbar spine, and arching the back and shoulders backward at the same time. This decompression maneuver held for 5 seconds followed by 3 seconds of reloading (sitting normally) and was repeated 4 times. Sequential MRI demonstrated a marked increase in vertical height of the lumbar spine using this decompression strategy. The authors concluded that “Seated upright MRI and stadiometry, as performed in this study, appear to be feasible methods for detecting compressive and decompressive spinal changes associated with normal sitting and, alternately, seated unloading exercises. Larger studies are encouraged to determine normative values of our study measurements and to determine if morphological changes induced by seated unloading predict treatment response and/or reductions in the incidence of sitting-related LBP.”

There are numerous quality evidence that post-treatment exercise programs can prevent recurrences of back pain. There have been many studies published this past decade that support the value of exercise in primary, secondary as well as tertiary prevention of low back pain. These studies have been conducted with multiple age groups and multiple settings including sports venues and the workplace.

Source:
http://www.chiroaccess.com/Articles/Exercise-and-the-Prevention-of-Low-Back-Pain.aspx?id=0000162

Dr. David Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, MD
Laurel Regional Chiropractic

Effects of resistance training and chiropractic treatment in women with fibromyalgia

A recent study has found that resistance training is more helpful for women with fibromyalgia if it is combined with chiropractic treatment.

The randomized controlled study aimed to evaluate resistance training and resistance training combined with chiropractic treatment on the impact and functionality of fibromyalgia in women. 21 women with fibromyalgia, who had an average age of 48 years, took part in the study. They were randomly assigned to either resistance training or resistance training combined with chiropractic treatment, with 10 women in the first group and 11 in the second. Both groups completed 16 weeks of resistance training consisting of 10 exercises performed two times per week. The group assigned to receive both resistance training and chiropractic treatment also received chiropractic treatment two times per week.

The results showed that both groups increased upper and lower body strength and there were similar improvements in fibromyalgia impact in both groups as well as the strength domains of the functionality assessment. However, only the group receiving resistance training combined with chiropractic treatment significantly improved in the pre- to post-functional domains of flexibility, balance and coordination, and endurance.

One factor in the beneficial effects of the chiropractic treatment may have been that many chiropractors perform some myofascial release as part of their treatments. Myofascial pain is a common problem with fibromyalgia and it can cause exercise to be more painful and less effective.

Original article by: Panton LB, Figueroa A, Kingsley JD, Hornbuckle L, Wilson J, John NS, Abood D, Mathis R, Vantassel J, McMillan V. Effects of Resistance Training and Chiropractic Treatment in Women with Fibromyalgia. J Altern Complement Med. 2009 Mar;15(3):321-8.

Dr. David P. Chen
Chiropractor in Laurel, Maryland
Laurel Regional Chiropractic
http://www.laurelregionalchiropractic.com/