Pelvic Stabilization and Its Role in Wellness
Here at Pratt Chiropractic we use our skills and experience to diagnose and treat all manner of musculoskeletal complaints, from chronic pain to acute injuries. One thing that surprises many of our patients, however, is how even tiny spinal misalignments or other irregularities can throw the body badly off balance — setting the stage for seemingly unrelated injuries and health problems. If these imbalances have been aggravated or permitted by weak muscle groups or restricted range of motion, then we prescribe exercise rehab to help you heal more completely and keep the problem from recurring.
A stable pelvic alignment is a critical aspect of maintaining a healthy spinal column and a straight spinal alignment. The human spine’s graceful curve helps it serve as a strong yet flexible scaffolding for the body, but it relies on strong musculature to support it. The base of the spine is supported by the large muscles of the back, abdomen, and pelvic floor. Years of incorrect alignment can cause the muscles on one side of the body to become overdeveloped while muscles elsewhere atrophy. This one-sided weakness only contributes further to the bodily imbalance, which may lead to strains, premature (and uneven) joint wear, and a combination of stiffness and hypermobility in certain joints. When the muscles of the pelvic floor are unevenly developed, for instance, the sacroiliac at the bottom of the spine may become hypermobile, causing pain in the buttock, leg, hip, or groin. Pregnancy is another common cause of excessive sacroiliac motion.
Fortunately, our skilled team knows how to treat this issue. In addition to any chiropractic adjustments that need to be made to correct misalignments, we can put you on an exercise rehab program that emphasizes pelvic stabilization. The program may include Kegel exercises (for both women and men), hip exercises to restore full range of motion, abdominal and lumbar strengthening exercises to brace the spine and increase pain-free flexibility, and low-impact aerobic exercises to boost blood flow and encourage the healing process to these tissues.
Functional Movement Rehab to Help Prevent Future Injury
Functional movement exercises are to the rest of the body what pelvic stabilization exercises are to the lumbar and pelvic regions. These exercises aren’t simply a matter of building muscle; instead they focus on making the muscles move more smoothly, powerfully, and normally in the countless daily tasks they must perform. We start by observing how your body performs motions such as deep squats, hurdle steps, leg raises, push-ups and lunges. If you get the “wobbles” during some of these motions, we can tell which muscles need strengthening through exercise rehab. We then devise a customized program to build your sagittal (front-to-back), horizontal, and/or transverse (side-to-side) balance. these exercises involve multiple muscle groups to help your whole body work as an integrated unit. Once you’re moving and supporting yourself properly, you’re much less likely to develop future imbalances and misalignments. Contact us to learn more!