Low back pain is a prevalent issue, particularly in the elderly population, and can be attributed to multifidus muscle degeneration. Research has shown that chronic low back pain is linked to disc degeneration and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle, a key stabilizer of the spine. Studies by Balevi and Gu H. et al., have further explored this connection and highlighted the significant impact it can have on spinal health and function. Balevi elaborates on the intricate relationship between low back pain and the degeneration of the multifidus muscle. The study underscores that multifidus muscle health is crucial for spinal stability and highlights that degeneration, including fatty infiltration, undermines this stability, exacerbating back pain. Balevi’s research emphasizes the effectiveness of targeted rehabilitation exercises in reversing muscle degeneration, thereby improving spinal health. (1) Similarly, Gu H. et al.’s research highlights the benefits of specific exercises targeting multifidus muscle function in reducing low back pain and improving spinal health. The authors conclude that targeted exercises can enhance muscle strength and endurance, ultimately reversing fatty degeneration and promoting spinal stability. (2) By incorporating these exercises into a broader chiropractic treatment plan encompassing gentle, safe chiropractic adjustments like Cox® Technic, chronic low back pain sufferers – even those who are a bit older and are more prone to experiencing such issues – may experience a significant reduction in pain and improvement in their quality of life as evidenced in these studies. Count on us to design just the right plan with exercise to help you!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Tony Barton on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson about the use of gentle, safe treatment with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management to ease chronic back pain.

TIP OF THE MONTH:Strengthen Multifidus Muscles!

Compared with general exercise, motor control exercise with isolated lumbar extension exercise showed greater improvement in multifidus muscle size, composition and function with noticeable increased thickness of the multifidus – in addition to improvement in pain, function and quality of life for participating back pain sufferers. (3) A simple exercise for the multifidus is simply standing at a counter, everting your foot, and raising your leg straight back. Easy! Combine exercise with spinal manipulation like Cox® Technic, and your weak multifidus muscles (and painful back) will thank you!

We are grateful for you and your trust in our care. 
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Have a great November!

References for HEALTHY NEWS – November 2024

• Balevi Batur E. Assessing the Correlation Between the Lumbar Disc Herniation Degree and Multifidus Muscle Fatty Degeneration in Chronic Low Back Pain. Cureus. 2024 Oct 10;16(10):e71237. doi: 10.7759/cureus.71237. PMID: 39525247; PMCID: PMC11550387.
• Gu H, Hong J, Wang Z, Chen J, Yuan F, Jiang Y, Yang Y, Luo M, Zhang Z, He B, Huang Y, Sun L. Association of MRI findings with paraspinal muscles fat infiltration at lower lumbar levels in patients with chronic low back pain: a multicenter prospective study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2024 Jul 16;25(1):549. doi: 10.1186/s12891-024-07649-x. PMID: 39010020; PMCID: PMC11251387.
• Fortin M, Rye M, Roussac A, Montpetit C, Burdick J, Naghdi N, Rosenstein B, Bertrand C, Macedo LG, Elliott JM, Dover G, DeMont R, Weber MH, Pepin V. The Effects of Combined Motor Control and Isolated Extensor Strengthening versus General Exercise on Paraspinal Muscle Morphology, Composition, and Function in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med. 2023 Sep 12;12(18):5920. doi: 10.3390/jcm12185920. PMID: 37762861; PMCID: PMC10532355.