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From Back Pain to Heart Rehab, Exercise Is Underused

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Good point, JC! I like the analogy about dental hygiene without flossing. I'm going to use that. I think my patients will relate to it.
Strengthening exercises are important because the muscles must provide proper support for the spine. Lengthening exercises are important, too. Stretch those muscles, people! Most of the patients in my clinic who present with chronic lower back pain also demonstrate a noticeable lack of flexibility. The two are intrinsically related. Exercise is a vital component in living free of pain, and I prescribe it often. Whether all of my patients follow my advice is another matter.
Dr. Eric Murphy
Round Rock, Texas chiropractor

Dr. Eric Murphy of TX 9:03AM June 30, 2009

Good point, JC! I like the analogy about dental hygiene without flossing. I'm going to use that. I think my patients will relate to it.
Strengthening exercises are important because the muscles must provide proper support for the spine. Lengthening exercises are important, too. Stretch those muscles, people! Most of the patients in my clinic who present with chronic lower back pain also demonstrate a noticeable lack of flexibility. The two are intrinsically related. Exercise is a vital component in living free of pain, and I prescribe it often. Whether all of my patients follow my advice is another matter.
Dr. Eric Murphy
Round Rock, Texas chiropractor
http://www.dreric4u.com

Dr. Eric Murphy of TX 9:02AM June 30, 2009

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Mcdrxtpt of AR 7:02PM June 22, 2009

After High School in of which consisted of basketball teams at 2 schools, tennis always competing, an avat jogger; 2 tours in 2 different branches in the Armend services of 8 years, active in team sports in the service, after service 15 years of soft style tai-chi....since I couldnt run as I once could, and I loved the feeling of being 'dis-connected' from the ground.
This article about arthritus and including some what of an exercise regimine takes me back to about ten years ago just before the VA diagnosed me with DU Exposure, from a 17 year prior time in Europe and 25 years prior to that, working on nukes here stateside.
Ill tell you what its like NOT BEING ABLE TO EXERCISE: It Sucks.
Exercise alone will open a persons mind to the unknown and the un-tried, to that persons reasoning. Not just the body and visceral benefits.
IF you are considering any kind of a regimented exercise program, thats where you start, but GET STARTED.

getsteppin of AR 5:51PM February 09, 2009

It's worth looking at how astronauts, with the lower gravity, if they don't exercise strenuously their muscles and bone thickness deteriorate. This shows you just how important giving the body some kind of exercise is. I find it very encouraging when health journalists suggest that general forms of exercise be considered alongside prescribed drugs and physical therapy.

Bryan 4:28AM February 09, 2009

As a chiropractor myself, I agree that most docs don't suggest exercise, and even when I do, very few patients do it.
The quick-fix mindset is deadly when patients seek temporary relief and fail to do long-term activities that help.
To me, it's equivalent to a dental hygience program that ignores brushing or flossing.
Spine researchers agree that spinal manipulation with active rehab is better than drugs, shots or surgery, but few patients want to follow an intense program, instead choosing the quick fix that backfires in the long run.
regards,
JC Smith

JC Smith of GA 4:49PM February 05, 2009