Total Chiropractic Therapy And The Importance Of Exercise
The Importance of Exercise in Chiropractic Therapy
Part 1 of a Series …
A number of studies have confirmed the importance of exercise in managing acute and chronic low-back pain.
Combined with proper chiropractic care, aerobic exercise can:
- Help strengthen the lower back as well as the abdominal muscles.
- Help promote proper digestion and better circulation.
- Keep patients working and improve the quality of their lives.
For patients undergoing chiropractic treatment, a reasonable amount of daily exercise is recommended. It should comprise activities that are not too strenuous, that can be done in a relatively short time, and are enjoyable to do. Walking briskly around the block once or twice, for example, is a convenient and popular activity for chiropractic patients.
Alternatively, a systematic low-back exercise program can also be implemented in conjunction with chiropractic care. It should be done on a firm surface, such as the floor, with or without a mat. Also, your physician prior to beginning should approve the program. And it should be suspended if the patient experiences any pain while working out.
The Basic Components of a Low-Back Exercise Program
Exercise #1: Pelvic Tilt (Abdominal Tightening)
- While standing or lying on your back, tighten the abdominal and buttock muscles so as to flatten your back. If lying down, flatten your back against the surface.
- Contract the muscles for a slow count of 4
- Relax the muscles for a slow count of 4
- Repeat 6 times each session.
2) Exercise #2: Pelvic Lift
- Lie on your back with your knees flexed and together, and your feet flat on the floor as close to your buttocks as possible.
- Tighten the muscles of the lower abdomen and buttocks so as to flatten your low back against the floor.
- Slowly raise your hips off the floor, and hold for a slow count of 4
- Repeat exercise 6 times.
3) Exercise #3: Knee-Chest
- Lie on your back and draw your right knee up to your chest. Pull the knee down upon your chest.
- Do this for a slow count of 4. Repeat this exercise 6 times with the right knee. Relax between each knee-chest exercise for a few seconds.
- Repeat the same exercise with the left knee.
- Repeat with both knees brought up to the chest. Do this for a slow count of 4. Repeat this exercise 6 times.
To be continued …