back health

Muscles of the Back

In the chiropractic world, much importance is placed upon the vertebrae, those structures that build the spinal cord and provide you with your body’s structural integrity. Sometimes this is to the detriment of the spinal muscles, whose role in spinal health is critical in their own right. Problems with any of these muscles often lead to back pain, and it is therefore a responsibility of the chiropractor to listen to your particular problem to determine if any of the muscles may be in jeopardy. 

Muscle group
Paraspinals, running from neck to pelvis, they control bending and rotation.
Rectus Abdominus, responsible for spinal stability, NOT movement.
Gluteal Muscles, of the butt.
Piriformis, connecting thigh to pelvis, used for rotating the thigh.
Quadratus Lumborum, responsible for movement of the torso.
Hamstrings, useful for bending and straightening the knee.
Iliopsoas, connecting lumbar vertebrae to the top of the femur. Responsible for bending knees.

These muscles have different functions but one thing that unites them all is that lack of activity creates problems, including atrophy. Too much sitting, too little exercise or not enough attention to a specific muscle group can leave you in pain, which then limits your movement further. Our lifestyles often perpetuate this kind of vicious cycle that leaves our backs stiff and our heads aching.  

Let purposeful movement back into your life and feel your back come alive. If muscular pain or spinal degeneration is holding you back from pursuing activities, let us treat your pain and get you back on your feet. Call our office in Fremont at (510) 656-9077 to schedule an appointment today.

Dr. Francis Scorca, D.C. 

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