What Increases our Risk for Back Pain?
Have you ever noticed some back pain when you were constipated, had the runs or even just a time your abs were sore in a “can’t laugh it hurts” kind of way? Well there is a likely deeper reason that can explain it!
“This study demonstrates that women with incontinence, respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal symptoms have increased risk for the development of back pain. Evidence of compromised control of the spine in people with incontinence and respiratory disorders and the potential for viscerosomatic hyperalgesia in people with gastrointestinal symptoms may provide physiological explanations for these findings.”
Let us explain this a bit further for you. Incontinence is the inability to control the flow of urine from the bladder (urinary incontinence) or the escape of stool from the rectum (fecal incontinence). Respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and more are types of breathing disorders that are common examples. Essentially different ways the lungs can lose capacity or function. As for viscerosomatic hyperalgesia refers to your experience of pain or discomfort in your visceral organs — the soft, internal organs that live in your chest, abdomen and pelvic cavity.
These are common symptoms and diagnosis people in our busy Culver City - Los Angeles city experience. Due to the nature of where we are, pollution and other environmental factors. Adding in lifestyle choices, social influence, health deserts and likely the lack of affordable healthy meals there are many reasons why someone may experience these issues. However from the study we find that these all can alone, or in combination be a reason to cause pain in the back.
Due to the control of intraabdominal pressure the lack of movement in the viscera, lungs and pelvic floor muscles can lead to common reasons for increased likelihood for having back pain.
Here is how pilates can help your back pain
Provide breathing techniques to allow better and deeper movement of the lungs, diaphragm and scalenes.
Improve abdominal control in loaded exercises of the spine such as lifting, rolling to the side, and spine rotations. Reducing the risk of pressure to the spine.
Improved control of those who may be constipated or restricted in the abdomen due to stress, tension or pre/postnatal conditions. Creating a safe way to create space in the abdomen and allow for easier function of the bowels and pelvic floor.
These are some of the many ways pilates has benefited our clients and allowed for the role of our studio to focus on those who are experiencing acute and chronic pain conditions. The combination of all of these essential techniques will allow not only for reducing back pain due to these conditions but in so many more ways as well. We hope you find this useful and if you haven’t already book your consultation with us to get started on your journey of pilates helping your physical rehabilitation and treatment.
References:
Lee DG, Lee LJ, McLaughlin L. Stability, continence and breathing: the role of fascia following pregnancy and delivery. J Bodyw Mov Ther. 2008;12(4):333-348. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2008.05.003
Smith MD, Russell A, Hodges PW. Do incontinence, breathing difficulties, and gastrointestinal symptoms increase the risk of future back pain?. J Pain. 2009;10(8):876-886. doi:10.1016/j.jpain.2009.03.003