April 2022 Healthy News from Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn Words Describing Back Pain and Exercises to Strengthen the Multifidi Are Important

“Why are you asking me all these questions, doc?”

Our Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic patients are central to our practice. We want to understand each of our patients and your pain experience well, treat you well, and ensure that you are satisfied with your care and outcome. That is why we have you to explain your pain to us, sometimes several times and in several different ways! Words mean different things to different people: “discomfort” to one may denote “pain” to another while “stiffness” is “pain” or “discomfort” to a another. It’s true! Researchers did a deep-dive into these different words and their meanings to patients. An example of this is the description of “feeling”: pain was sharp/shooting, discomfort signified dull/tingling, stiffness was tight/restricted. (1) It's beneficial for Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn to know our patient’s experience with pain to better reach expectations and boost satisfaction with care. Patients who went to an integrated hospital for care of their musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms rated their pain as 5/10 (10 being greatest pain) and indicated multiple pain locations (9 of 17 participants), low back pain (13 of 17), and neck pain (8 of 17). Those are very typical of rationales patients pursue chiropractic care! In this setting, because patients trusted their main physician, patients were satisfied with the collaboration among the various healthcare team members. Patients appreciated consistency in care from one caregiving chiropractor. (2) Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn knows our patients value - and can expect - these same things from us: consistency, care, collaboration, and results!

 

Ashburn and Herndon CHIROPRACTIC TIP OF THE MONTH: Strengthen Multifidus Muscles While Standing

Back pain. It’s a simple description that may stem from a multitude of factors including the muscles of the spine, those seen and unseen. The multifidus muscles are such unseen muscles, smaller, deep muscles that run alongside the spine from the neck to the sacrum. These muscles aid movements like lateral (side) flexion and rotation of the spine when contracted. (3) Lately, researchers suggested that the multifidi may be a potential source of back pain since they are described as being stiffer in low back pain sufferers. Low back pain is linked to lumbodorsal musculature (which incorporates the multifidus muscle) fatigue. Standing back extension exercise fatigued the multifidus sufficiently which may prevent low back pain caused by muscle fatigue. (4) “Superman” (on-the-floor) exercises are well known. Standing back extension and “superman” exercises are newly documented to be equally beneficial to strengthen these multifidus muscles. (5) That is great news! Ashburn and Herndon back pain sufferers can do easy, standing exercises like this anywhere! The multifidi benefit!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Paula Hugulet on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as she explains the value of improving muscle strength and function as part of back pain care following the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

CONTACT Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn

Make your next Ashburn and Herndon chiropractic appointment today. Your words will be heard. Your multifidus muscles will be directed in proper exercise to lessen and potentially avert back pain. Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn will ask you questions, and you are welcome to ask Poulin Chiropractic of Herndon and Ashburn questions, too!