It is estimated that in the past 3 months, about 25% of Americans have experienced a bout of low back pain symptoms. You will probably be prescribed a muscle relaxer drug if you go to your doctor, which is not a good option. The most common approach at the physical therapist will include a cookie-cutter approach to analyzing the pain-generating area, and then mobilization stretches will be prescribed. Even the typical chiropractor will prescribe three adjustments a week until you feel better and prescribe stretches.
Unfortunately, the problem is not a lack of muscle relaxers or a lack of stretches. Stretches can temporarily relieve pain due to the activation of muscle spindles which override the pain signals within the nervous system. The actual reason for the rise of low-back disorders is loss of spinal stability and to correct the cause of low back pain, strength must be restored, and the lifestyle factors causing the weakness must be removed.
The vertebra of the lumbar spine is predominantly designed for flexion, extension, and lateral bending. The lumbar spine allows for very little rotation. The biomechanics of the lumbar spine allows for the greatest range of extension in the spinal column. Conceptually this makes sense since the lumbar spine is the foundation to keeping humans in an upright position. The problem is that humans have slipped away from their biomechanical design. The modern norms of sitting and sedentary behavior have caused the muscles that support the lumbar spine to become weak. The increased duration of sitting has caused many people to be in a dominant flexion position. Over time, muscle weakness and constant flexion position cause the disc fibers to weaken and eventually bulge.
The body will attempt to stabilize the spine by creating muscle spasms. Over time these spasmed muscles will become weaker as they are overworked. Stretches that lengthen these weak muscles will only increase the amount of instability in the spine. As the discs begin to thin and the spine remains unstable, then degenerative arthritic changes become evident.
The means to spinal health is called the mix, fix, and set protocol. The purpose of the mix portions is to decrease pain while expanding the range of motion, lubricating, and nourishing joints. The fix portion includes the chiropractic adjustment, and this places the spine closer to its ideal alignment. The set part is designed to stabilize the spine by increasing strength to weak muscles. The set portion is usually the focus after the acute phase of care and continues for a lifetime of health and performance.