Glutes
Back Pain Relief Strategies No One Talks About
Strong glutes are an antidote to pain and injury. An important variable in managing and preventing pain and injury is having a strong, well balanced frame. If one muscle is weak, other muscle groups have to work harder. The health and optimal function of your spine is dependent upon help from other muscle groups and structures. The gluteal muscles support your spine and lower extremities as stabilizers when you are not sitting on them. If your gluteal muscles are weak, you will end up using your back more when lifting. The added stress on your back tissues can lead to pain, strains, and injury (such as a herniated disc). Strong well developed glutes can prevent these kinds of injuries and help you avoid lower back pain.
Where are your Glutes?
The gluteal muscle group is comprised of three muscles, gluteus maximus, gluteus medius and gluteus minimus. All three muscles play a role in stabilization; when they’re weak, they can cause pain and dysfunction in the low back, hip and knee. Glutes are responsible for proper movement and function of the hip and thigh. Standing up from a seated position, climbing stairs, and maintaining stability in a straight up position are all functions of the gluteal muscles. They propel the body forward and back, side to side, while keeping balance and maintaining stability. 
Signs of weakness
The glute muscles are what push us forward when walking, help us stand on one leg without our knees caving in, and keep our pelvis from leaning forward or swaying backward. Four signs that you may have weak gluteal muscles:
- Low back pain
- Knee pain
- Balance problems
- Difficulty climbing stairs
Exercises to Strengthen the Glutes
Addressing the health and proper function of the glutes is not a complicated undertaking. The exercises are simple, but simplicity does not mean ineffective. Consistency is the key! Ask Dr. Beemer to assess your glute strength and prescribe the proper glute exercises for you.
Chiropractic and the Glutes
Like every single cell, organ, tissue, and system in your body, the glutes receive information from the brain through the nervous system, the body’s communication system. And like every other structure, the glutes are able to function best when communication to and from the brain is optimal. The nerves that communicate with the gluteal muscles exit the spine at the lower lumbar and upper sacral levels. This means that your chiropractor should restore motion to the lower lumbar and sacrum spinal segments. If you have weak glutes and are looking to improve their function, get your spine checked and adjusted regularly by your chiropractor.
Let me check your glute strength at your next visit; it is quick and easy. Strong glutes help maintain a stable spine and decrease low back, hip and knee pain. They also increase mobility to keep your daily functioning levels as high as possible as you grow older. They can assist you in continuing your recreation activities. Sedentary ways decrease proper activity and weaken the glutes. We can help you gain a stronger spine by strengthening your glutes and actually improve your quality of life. So get your glutes into Beemer Back Center today!
Be well,
Dr. Cindy
Beemer Back Center
479-751-8686
www.chiropracticspringdale.com
