Chiropractic and Lower Back Pain: A Path to Stability and Mobility

Dr Luke Pocock • Oct 25, 2024

Chiropractic and Lower Back Pain: A Path to Stability and Mobility

Lower back pain is one of the most common complaints I see in my practice. Over the years, I’ve noticed a recurring theme among patients: most of them aren’t moving or exercising regularly. This leads to a decline in the functional strength and resilience of their spine, which can make even daily activities uncomfortable or painful. There’s a saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it,” and when it comes to your spine, this couldn’t be more accurate.


As a chiropractor and Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) practitioner, I focus on not just alleviating pain but also building long-term mobility and strength. Using FRC, spinal segmentation exercises, and Controlled Articular Rotations (CARs), we can keep the spine moving fluidly, prevent injuries, and enhance the nervous system’s control over end-range motion. Here’s how these methods can help in managing lower back pain and keeping your spine healthy.


Why Movement Matters for Spinal Health


The spine is designed to move, and regular, varied movement helps it stay flexible and resilient. However, when we neglect this natural range of motion, the muscles and tissues supporting our spine start to stiffen. This can lead to lower back pain, poor posture, and, eventually, a reduced quality of life. Beyond managing pain, one of my goals with each patient is to reintroduce healthy movement to their daily routine. This gives their nervous system the experience it needs to control the spine in both normal and end ranges, which is where injuries most often occur.


How Functional Range Conditioning Can Help


Functional Range Conditioning (FRC) is a system that prioritizes joint health and mobility, focusing on maintaining and expanding the usable ranges of motion. FRC techniques target specific muscle groups and joints to improve both strength and flexibility, especially in the spine. By working through FRC exercises, patients can gain better control and stability, which helps reduce pain and prevent future injuries.


CARs are one of the foundational techniques in FRC. These are slow, controlled movements where we explore the full range of motion of a joint. For the spine, CARs help lubricate the joints, wake up surrounding muscles, and remind the nervous system of the joint’s potential range. Practiced regularly, CARs allow you to maintain spinal mobility, making it easier to handle everyday tasks without discomfort.


Spinal Segmentation for Improved Spine Control


Spinal segmentation exercises involve moving each vertebra independently in a smooth, wave-like motion. These movements encourage the spine to articulate each segment, which helps build strength, mobility, and control. By training these finer movements daily, you can establish a “spinal health routine” that supports both flexibility and stability. This is especially valuable because most injuries happen when the spine is loaded in its end ranges of motion.


In my YouTube video above, I’ll demonstrate spinal segmentation exercises to help you get started on this practice. Think of spinal segmentation as a form of daily maintenance for your spine—it’s something you can do to keep pain at bay and improve your overall quality of movement.


Chiropractic and FRC: A Powerful Combination for Lower Back Pain


Chiropractic care is effective for realigning and relieving the spine, but combining it with FRC-based exercises adds a new layer of resilience. As an FRC practitioner, I not only help patients relieve lower back pain but also empower them with techniques to maintain and enhance their mobility and strength over the long term. Together, these approaches form a proactive plan for spinal health, healing, and stability, helping you get back to the quality of life you deserve.


If lower back pain is interfering with your daily life, consider chiropractic care with FRC techniques.


Regards,

Dr. Luke Pocock

Chiropractor


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Chiropractic and Lower Back Pain: A Path to Stability and Mobility

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