Spine Basics – Page 4 – Bret G. Ball, MD, PhD, FAANS

UNLOCKING THE MYSTERIES OF THE MULTIFIDUS MUSCLE

The Multifidus Muscle: Your Spine’s Hero — or Villain?

When it comes to maintaining a healthy and resilient spine, there’s one muscle group that has historically gone unnoticed or under appreciated—the multifidus muscle. Deep within the intricate network of muscles in our backs, the multifidus plays an important role in supporting the spine, helping to provide stability and maintain proper posture.

EXERCISES FOR STRENGTHENING YOUR MULTIFIDUS MUSCLE

The multifidus is a key muscle in maintaining spinal balance and posture. It is also a frequent culprit in cases of acute or recurrent back pain. Strengthening your multifidus won’t make your back bulletproof like Superman but it can go a long way towards reducing the frequency and severity of attacks.

IF YOU HAVE BACK PAIN, DON’T SEE YOUR DOCTOR?

A New York Times article a couple of years ago declared, “How do you solve back pain? Don’t ask your doctor.”

It’s a shocking statement meant to grab people’s attention, and it does that pretty well. It also may seem like there is an element of truth to it.

MASSAGE

Some patients with back pain wonder if massage might help them. You might as well ask why massage would help anything. Yet massages are popular for a lot of reasons, chiefly because they just help patients feel better. A massage isn’t going to correct a disc herniation or straighten out a deformed spine, but it can calm down sore muscles and ease painful myofascial adhesions.

TIPS ON USING HEAT AND ICE

When experiencing soreness or discomfort in your back or neck, using ice and heat can provide relief and promote healing. Ice helps reduce inflammation and numb the area, while heat enhances blood flow and relaxes muscles. Here are instructions on how to use ice and heat effectively:

DO-IT-YOURSELF MASSAGE

Back pain and muscle tension are common complaints that can affect our daily lives and well-being. While seeking professional massage therapy is beneficial, you can also provide relief for your back at home using simple tools like a tennis ball or a lacrosse ball. Here is a step-by-step guide to using these versatile tools to massage your back, targeting tight muscles and promoting relaxation.

DO I HAVE A RIDICULOUS-ITIS?

One day I was riding in my car listening to the radio. Tiger Woods was was being interviewed as a guest on the program. He had just had back surgery and the hosts were asking him how he was doing. He said he was suffering from a radiculitis. The hosts started laughing. They thought it was funny because the word sounds kind of like the word “ridiculous”. However, I can assure you that a radiculitis is anything but funny. It can be extremely painful. Tiger Woods wasn’t laughing either.

QUICK LINKS FOR FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

SLEEP AND SPINE HEALTH

Sleep is a fundamental aspect of our lives, playing a crucial role in maintaining overall health and well-being. While most of us are aware of the benefits of sleep for our mental and physical health, its direct impact on spine health is often overlooked. Every day, with practically everything we do, we are putting stress on our spine. That gradually accumulates wear and tear on the spine with things like annular tears, disc dessiccation, arthritis, and bulges. Our body works to repair these injuries at night while we are sleeping. So while you are giving your body the rest it needs, it is working hard to maintain your spine for you. In this post, we will explore the rationale for good sleep hygiene for spine health. So, grab a cozy blanket, get comfortable, and let’s dive into the world of slumber and spinal wellness. And maybe this post, if it’s long enough, will help you get some of those zzz’s you need, for your spine health of course.

PHYSICAL THERAPY FOR THE RELIEF OF NECK AND BACK PAIN

Neck and back pain are common ailments that affect millions of people worldwide. These conditions can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain, impacting daily activities and overall quality of life. While there are various treatment options available, physical therapy has emerged as an effective and evidence-based approach for managing neck and back pain. A lot of patients are hesitant to do therapy. They are worried that it might be a waste of time and money. It’s true that therapy cannot fix all spine problems, but here are some reasons why it could work for you.