Trigger points are knots in the muscle that can often be sore or painful. When they are present the muscles of the low back become more rigid and tight, causing more pressure and inflammation to accumulate on the nerves. This in turn can make your back or leg pain worse.
Most consistently the trigger points we find in people’s backs are in the lower back on each side of the spine just above the pelvis.
The reason we get these trigger points in the back, to begin with, can be from a lower back strain, past injury, or disc herniation, that puts pressure on the nerves.
If there is pressure on nerves going to the muscles of your low back, these muscles don’t get 100% of the information being sent to them. This causes muscle imbalances, tightness or trigger points.
If it’s a strain or misalignment of the spine creating the nerve pressure, chiropractic care can help relieve the pressure and therefore the trigger points in your back. Whether the cause of the nerve pressure is from a herniated disc or degenerative disc, the best option is Drx9000 spinal decompression.
In the mean time to help relieve some pressure temporarily there are ways of decreasing those trigger points. I can show you a quick way to help. With a little practice you can reach around to your low back and feel the trigger points. I say “a little practice” because it may take a couple times to realize what and where those trigger points are.
It will feel like a hard ball of muscle and it will move slightly when you press on it.
Once you find the, the best way to help loosen the muscular trigger points is to press on them and hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat this action 1-3 times. You will notice that the trigger point gets smaller and harder to stay on . You may notice it breaking up under your fingers as well. If you are having trouble locating the trigger points it sometimes helps to bend slightly forward. This pushes the muscle more to the surface.
The muscle fibers should be smooth when they are knotted up it not only causes muscle tension, but it will create more pressure on nerves and more pain. Breaking up those trigger points will help relieve your pain.
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:
Monday, March 30, 2009
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
How does DRX 9000 Spinal Decompression work?
Just recently, a patient reminded me of an analogy I used to use to explain the decompression process. He said his therapist told him this to explain decompression:
It was the toothpaste tube analogy. A disc that bulges, slips, or herniates is like the tooth paste being squeezed out of the tube.
If you injure your disc, a herniation or protruded disc is much like toothpaste coming out of the tube. Normally it should stay in place, but when severely injured, a leak or leaks can occur. Imagine pushing on the tube so some toothpaste comes out. Now imagine instead of squeezing that tube, you pull from the bottom and the top. What happens? That toothpaste that was coming out gets retracted or pulled back in.
What happens with the decompression is that it first stretches the spine, and with muscles and ligaments relaxed, it creates enough of a force to suction the disc material (toothpaste) back into place between the spinal bones.
This is what really makes non-surgical spinal decompression unique and much more successful than simply traction. Yes there is a traction aspect to decompression, but that is really only part of the equation.
DRX 9000 Decompression is very unique in the way it pulls. It is able to keep the muscles and ligaments along the spine relaxed, thus allowing a pull much more magnified than standard traction.
Wait, you say! … I can’t imagine getting pulled with much more force than the traction I had at physical therapy. Actually, with the decompression, even though the pull is magnified, you hardly feel a thing. The machine keeps the muscles relaxed through a specialized pull and feedback mechanism.
So next time you brush your teeth, think of that tube of toothpaste and how you stretch it out to suck the extra paste back into the tube, and you’ll realize how decompression helps heal that disc.
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:
It was the toothpaste tube analogy. A disc that bulges, slips, or herniates is like the tooth paste being squeezed out of the tube.
If you injure your disc, a herniation or protruded disc is much like toothpaste coming out of the tube. Normally it should stay in place, but when severely injured, a leak or leaks can occur. Imagine pushing on the tube so some toothpaste comes out. Now imagine instead of squeezing that tube, you pull from the bottom and the top. What happens? That toothpaste that was coming out gets retracted or pulled back in.
What happens with the decompression is that it first stretches the spine, and with muscles and ligaments relaxed, it creates enough of a force to suction the disc material (toothpaste) back into place between the spinal bones.
This is what really makes non-surgical spinal decompression unique and much more successful than simply traction. Yes there is a traction aspect to decompression, but that is really only part of the equation.
DRX 9000 Decompression is very unique in the way it pulls. It is able to keep the muscles and ligaments along the spine relaxed, thus allowing a pull much more magnified than standard traction.
Wait, you say! … I can’t imagine getting pulled with much more force than the traction I had at physical therapy. Actually, with the decompression, even though the pull is magnified, you hardly feel a thing. The machine keeps the muscles relaxed through a specialized pull and feedback mechanism.
So next time you brush your teeth, think of that tube of toothpaste and how you stretch it out to suck the extra paste back into the tube, and you’ll realize how decompression helps heal that disc.
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:
- I Don’t Have Pain- But I have Constant Numbness and Tingling in my Lower Legs. Can Decompression help?
- How is spinal decompression different from the traction that I tried
- Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
- Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
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Subscribe in a readerWednesday, March 11, 2009
Back Pain Relief with the Right Back Support Pillow
If you have ever spent hours and hours at a computer desk whether for your job or maybe just playing video games, you know that bad posture at the computer can translate to lower back pain, stiffness, and overall discomfort.
Many times we are faced with sitting for long periods of time- whether it on a long flight to India, sitting in traffic on I-84 in Hartford, or just slaving away at your computer during the day. Sitting creates pressure on your lower back by distorting the lumbar curve and causing a squishing of the discs. The discs are important because they act as shock absorbers and allow to the spine to have the range of motion that it does. Pressure on the spine can cause un needed pressure on the lumbar nerves, which innervate the lower extremity- the legs and the feet. It can cause numbness and tingling, and weakness affecting our ability to walk, stand and do basic activities of daily living.
Using a support cushion behind your lower back creates a safety guard against injuring yourself, or putting yourself in a position of pain. A lumbar support cushion makes you sit with proper posture, allowing the proper lumbar spine to stay in proper alignment.
A lumbar cushion should be firm yet comfortable against your body. Often times lumbar support cushions are made out of precision cut foam.
One of the most popular lumbar support cushions is the sitback rest which you can use while on the computer. If you are in your car you probably want a lumbar cushion that is slimmer in design and not bulky such as the slim back rest. The Slim rest can also be used in other sitting positions as well. Finally, if you are experiencing lower back pain, consider the sit back rest PLUS which includes a ice pack. Great for decreasing inflammation and providing an added analgesic relief while sitting for extended periods of time.
Dr. Bellinger also discusses how to use a lumbar support cushion when you sit at your computer or for work long periods of time. No matter if you sit on your computer playing solitare or Age of Empires- know that you can do so comfortably !
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury, CT- Specializing in chiropractic care for the entire family and non surgical spinal decompression for chronic lower back pain sufferers. CT Spine and Disc Center also carries many lower back pain relief products like the slimback rest and lumbar back support belts. Call 860.633.8756 to get more information about our services and prodcuts
Additional Reading Resources:
Many times we are faced with sitting for long periods of time- whether it on a long flight to India, sitting in traffic on I-84 in Hartford, or just slaving away at your computer during the day. Sitting creates pressure on your lower back by distorting the lumbar curve and causing a squishing of the discs. The discs are important because they act as shock absorbers and allow to the spine to have the range of motion that it does. Pressure on the spine can cause un needed pressure on the lumbar nerves, which innervate the lower extremity- the legs and the feet. It can cause numbness and tingling, and weakness affecting our ability to walk, stand and do basic activities of daily living.
Using a support cushion behind your lower back creates a safety guard against injuring yourself, or putting yourself in a position of pain. A lumbar support cushion makes you sit with proper posture, allowing the proper lumbar spine to stay in proper alignment.
A lumbar cushion should be firm yet comfortable against your body. Often times lumbar support cushions are made out of precision cut foam.
One of the most popular lumbar support cushions is the sitback rest which you can use while on the computer. If you are in your car you probably want a lumbar cushion that is slimmer in design and not bulky such as the slim back rest. The Slim rest can also be used in other sitting positions as well. Finally, if you are experiencing lower back pain, consider the sit back rest PLUS which includes a ice pack. Great for decreasing inflammation and providing an added analgesic relief while sitting for extended periods of time.
Dr. Bellinger also discusses how to use a lumbar support cushion when you sit at your computer or for work long periods of time. No matter if you sit on your computer playing solitare or Age of Empires- know that you can do so comfortably !
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in Glastonbury, CT- Specializing in chiropractic care for the entire family and non surgical spinal decompression for chronic lower back pain sufferers. CT Spine and Disc Center also carries many lower back pain relief products like the slimback rest and lumbar back support belts. Call 860.633.8756 to get more information about our services and prodcuts
Additional Reading Resources:
- A Good Lumbar Support Belt Can Prevent Your Back Pain From Getting Worse Chronic Low Back Pain Is On The Rise…What Are Your Treatment Options?
- Brooke Burkes gets Chiropractic Treatment on Dancing with the Stars
- Understanding Non Surgical Spinal Decompression: FAQ's
- Research about Non Surgical Spinal Decompression
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Can My Back Be Causing More than Just Back or Leg Pain?
Yes, low back pain can often cause leg pain. Nerves in the low back not only communicate to your back and leg muscles but also go to the important parts of your body like you bladder, intestines, sexual organs, etc...And if pressure continues to accumulate on nerves or a nerve other problems often do start to happen.
Think of it like this – if you have extra pressure on the nerves traveling to your right kidney and nothing interfering with nerves traveling to your right kidney and nothing interfering with nerves to the left kidney, which one do your think will be working better?
This is the reason why keeping your nerves free of pressure is extremely important, one day it may be back pain, the next it could be something much worse.
Second, when your body is working to heal your back other parts of the body often pick up the slack. Remember the kidney example I just gave – the left kidney will have to pick up the slack for the right kidney. This can then lead to problems there other parts of the body as a result.
Lastly, dealing with pain can wear you out mentally, maybe causing depression, loss of sleep, fatigue, irritability… It’s is usually a downward spiral of things just getting worse..And all because of your back.
If you have back pain or know you have degeneration and pressure on the nerves of the low back, don’t wait until its too late.
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:
Think of it like this – if you have extra pressure on the nerves traveling to your right kidney and nothing interfering with nerves traveling to your right kidney and nothing interfering with nerves to the left kidney, which one do your think will be working better?
This is the reason why keeping your nerves free of pressure is extremely important, one day it may be back pain, the next it could be something much worse.
Second, when your body is working to heal your back other parts of the body often pick up the slack. Remember the kidney example I just gave – the left kidney will have to pick up the slack for the right kidney. This can then lead to problems there other parts of the body as a result.
Lastly, dealing with pain can wear you out mentally, maybe causing depression, loss of sleep, fatigue, irritability… It’s is usually a downward spiral of things just getting worse..And all because of your back.
If you have back pain or know you have degeneration and pressure on the nerves of the low back, don’t wait until its too late.
CT Spine and Disc Center is located in central Connecticut- Specializing in patients who suffer from sciatica, disc degeneration, bulging disc or herniated disc in the lumbar spine. Call us at 860-633-8756 to see if you are a candidate for non surgical spinal decompression
Additional Reading Resources:
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