By: Dr. Michelle Irwin

Did you know that low back pain is the number one cause for missed days of work?
Now, that may seem like a stretch for some, but for those of us who have experienced severe low back pain it is a logical statistic.

Back pain is no joke and Chiropractic is one of the best treatments once it sets in but what can we do to prevent the pain from happening or at least being so severe?

Of course, making sure that your spine is healthy, and mobile is the first step. Therefore it is important to get checked by the Chiropractor and regular adjustments just like going to the dentist to make sure cavities aren’t developing.

But how do you keep up with the movement gained from the treatments?

Well just like you brush your teeth and floss between dental check ups you can floss your spine as well.

The second step in bullet proofing your lower back is to build up your core muscles, which are the small muscles that go between the vertebra called the multifidi and rotatories muscles that help the vertebra stay separated and off the nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord.

An easy exercise to start with is called the abdominal hollow. This is where you pull your belly button to the spine and tighten your upper glute muscles, but you are able to still take a deep breath. It is not sucking your stomach in. It should feel like you put on a waist belt, and you are able to sit up straight easily.

As you are activating these muscles in the lower back, you are also activating the same muscles all the way up to the base of your skull because they are your postural muscles and work as a group. Do this exercise sitting, standing, walking, driving, and especially when you are bending over. It will become a natural engagement the more you do it and will help you feel stronger and safer when you are going to be active.

Stretching daily is another easy way to protect your lower back.

Stretching your hamstrings every day whether you were active or not, especially if you have been sitting most of the day, will allow your lower back to be more flexible because the attachments these muscles have to your pelvis.

The Core 4 stretches we have videos on our YouTube channel will be a great addition to your everyday life. This is going through full range of motion movements slowly and deliberately, so you think about each vertebra moving with the motions.

This is only the beginning of your journey to bullet proof your low back, but every journey starts with a step. Let’s get strong together.

Chiropractic care focuses on healing the body naturally, holistically, and without the use of medication from the inside out. If you need help getting out of pain, schedule an appointment today!