Core Concepts - Spinal and Sports Injuries

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What is Pain? Different Medical Conditions

Medical Conditions

Back and Neck pain is extremely complex. And dome of the medical term that are used by health professionals. It can often be confusing.

Amongst some of the more common conditions are:

• Slipped disc
• Spondylosis or osteoarthritis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Tension Headaches
• Scoliosis

Managing Spondylolisthesis

Physiotherapy and exercises are often prescribed to strengthen the surrounding muscles to take over the support provided the neck or lumbar braces in the acute phase. It is important that we exercise the right muscles. In the case of spondylolisthesis, the muscles specifically supporting the spine or primary core stability muscles.

In 1997, studies by P. O'Sullivan and G. Allison[1] showed that specific stabilisation exercises reduced pain intensity and functional disability levels in a statistically significant manner, which was maintained at a 3, 6 and 30-month follow-up.

For the low back or lumbar region, the key muscles that support your spine are the deep abdominal core muscles. Your deep core muscles act as a natural abdominal lumbar support that wraps around your abdominal area. Unlike an external lumbar support that provides passive support, core stability training builds strong core to act as an active support throughout the day for all your activities.

For the neck area or cervical region, the deep neck flexor muscles and lower trapezius need to be trained to provide the necessary support and stability to your neck.

References

1. Evaluation of Specific Stabilizing Exercise in. the treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain with Radiologic Diagnosis of Spondylosis and Spondylolisthesis, O'Sullivan, G. Allison, Spine Vol 22 November 1997
2. Exercise as a treatment for chronic low back pain, Rainville et al. The Spine Journal 4 (2004) 106?15
3. Rehabilitation of pelvic floor muscles utilizing trunk stabilization, Ruth Sapsforda,b,*, Manual Therapy 9 (2004) 3?2
4. Is there a role for transversus abdominis in lumbo-pelvic stability?, P. W. Hodges, Manual Therapy (1999) 4(2), 74-86
5. Stabilizing training compared with manual treatment in sub-acute and chronic low-back pain, Rasmussen-Barr et al, Manual Therapy (2003) 8(4), 233?41
6. Achieving Spine Stability: Blending Engineering and Clinical Approaches, S. McGill, 4th Interdisciplinary World Congree on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, November 2001
7. Morphology of the Transversus Abdominis, Obliquus Internus, and Obliquus Externus Muscles, Urquhart, Hodges et al, 4th Interdisciplinary World Congree on Low Back & Pelvic Pain, November 2001
8. The stabilising system of the spine. Part I.Function, dysfunction, adaptation and enhancement., Panjabi MM,  Journal of Spinal Disorder 4: 383?89,
9. The stabilising system of the spine. Part II.Neutral zone and instability Hypothesis. , Panjabi MM  Journal of Spinal Disorder 4: 390?97

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