Lower Back Pain in Runners

Although it is to our long-term benefit to exercise regularly, lower back pain is a common problem among runners. Many athletes, professionals as well as amateurs, experience soreness in their lower backs and hips immediately after work-outs. Over time, they may be at risk for wearing down their muscles, spinal discs, or cartilage. At Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, we want to ensure all our patients are able to maintain a healthy lifestyle, which is why we wanted to discuss preventive care for runners.

We have several deep muscles in our core and hips that help to stabilize our spines. When they’re strong, they restrict torque and lateral sway, and put more force into our strides. But our core muscles aren’t just the ones we see from the outside. The deep muscles linking our lower spines, pelvis, and femurs can easily become tight if we’re sitting all day, and the condition of our surface abdominal muscle doesn’t necessarily reflect the strength of the ones beneath it. 

If you experience radiating pain, you should come to our office to be treated for a pinched nerve. But if you are trying to reduce post-workout aches, you may want to try more hip stretches and core strengthening. Bridges, side-lying leg raises, and side planks are exercises that target the hip muscles connecting to the lower back. You should also try to make sure you’re getting in a twenty minute walk each day, if you work in an office setting, and making sure you warm up and cool down adequately during each work-out. If you’re unsure whether exercising is safe for you, we can help you devise a personalized work-out plan.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

Upper Back Pain

With all the attention neck and lower back pain get, it’s easy for upper back pain to be neglected. But although this condition is less common than pain elsewhere in the spinal column, it still affects large numbers of people. We’re dedicated to providing non-invasive, non-addictive pain relief at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield, so we want people to understand more about the causes of upper back pain and why chiropractic care is often the best approach.

Thoracic vertebrae are a bit better protected than those above and below them. There are twelve vertebrae in the thoracic region, and their mobility is limited by additional joints that connect to the ribs. Nonetheless, people can develop herniated discs, arthritis, or muscle irritation as a result of bad posture or nutrition. The upper back may also be damaged by traumatic injuries such as those sustained in a car crash. Women and older men are likelier to develop upper back pain, as are people whose jobs require them to lift things above their heads or sit for long periods.

Chiropractic adjustments can relieve stress on herniated discs and the surrounding soft tissues. We also offer massage therapy to soothe irritated muscles and reduce inflammation. Preventing a relapse of upper back pain will likely require a patient to engage in therapeutic exercises that will strengthen their back muscles, relieving pressure from the spinal column. We will also teach patients better posture to practice at the office or wherever they work, which will slow the progress of degenerative conditions and allow their joints and muscles to heal naturally.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.

 

Lower Back Pain in Cyclists

Exercise is essential for musculoskeletal health, and cycling is a great way to strengthen your leg muscles without jostling your spine. Stationary bikes allow people to remain active even in bad weather or if they have difficulty leaving the home, and we at Kosak Chiropractic in Fairfield encourage everybody to find a way they enjoy staying active. However, cyclists also suffer high rates of lower back pain. This problem is treatable and preventable, but we want our patients to understand what’s going on when they devise their exercise routines.

As with any sport, cyclists need well-fitted, functional equipment. People who inherit old bicycles or don’t properly adjust new ones often need to stretch too far forward to reach the handlebars. This would strain the lower back muscles and require a person to maintain the same posture as long as they ride, and it’s never good for people to have to maintain the same position for an extended period.

Getting a bicycle properly fitted is essential, but not sufficient for preventing back pain. We often emphasize the need for a strong core, and it’s true of cyclists, as well. When a cyclist gets tired, the hip muscles supporting their lumbar spine weaken, allowing its joints to wear by swaying side-to-side. Some simple core exercises include bird-dogging and planking, but people already experiencing lower back pain should consult with us to determine what is safe. We can also relieve their pain through massage therapy and electric muscle stimulation, which will reduce inflammation, and by adjusting their lumbar vertebrae to their proper position.

Kosak Chiropractic is located at 1252 Travis Blvd., Suite G, Fairfield, CA, 94533. To schedule an appointment, visit Kosak Chiropractic online or call 707-426-1111.