The
glutes are for more than just sitting! They must be strong and
supportive to keep us, especially us Sandy Springs back pain sufferers, walking, balanced, up-right.
Cross Chiropractic Center considers gluteal muscle strength seriously, particularly
the gluteus medius muscle, one of the more prominent supportive
spine muscles along with the gluteus maximus, tensor fascia latae, lumbar
multifidus, external oblique, erector spinae, and rectus abdominus. So many
muscles, so little space to discuss them all. Your
Sandy Springs chiropractor is concentrating on the gluteal muscles
in this article. More
to come on the others!
FOCUSING ON WEAK GLUTEUS MUSCLES WITH SIDE PLANK OR BRIDGE
When supportive muscles are weak – gluteus maximus, gluteus
medius, multifidus and transverse abdominus – doing exercises
that strengthen those while not activating others like the erector
spinae and tensor fascia latae is desirable. Side
bridge while raising the dominant leg is one exercise that showed itself to be good in activating the gluteal muscle and not the tensor fascia latae
muscle. (Side note from this study: Back bridge exercise showed
itself helpful in strengthening the multifidus muscle.) (1)
A variation of side plank is the side-sling plank.
Researchers found that it increased gluteus
medius strength after injuries. Side-sling plank with hip
medial rotation demonstrated itself superior in
patients with gluteus medius weakness but dominant
tensor fasciae latae. (2) Side bridge exercises were documented
to strengthen hip, trunk, and abdominal muscles in addition to being able to challenge trunk muscles without high lumbar compression, an
important point for back pain sufferers like those
Cross Chiropractic Center takes care of in our Sandy Springs chiropractic
office. Another variation that was described as being superior to the others for strengthening a weak
gluteus medius muscle was the side bridge with knee flexion. (3) When glute
muscles are weaker than their adjacent muscles,
exercises concentrated on triggering the gluteus
max and gluteus medius without involving surrounding muscles like the tensor
fascia latae, etc., are vital. One easy exercise that triggered
the gluteus maximus and gluteus medius muscles while minimizing tensor fascia latae muscles was the clam
exercise. (4) With such a variety of exercises to pick from, allow your Sandy Springs chiropractor to help pinpoint
which of your supportive muscles are weak and determine which
exercises - natrual parts of chiropractic care - are best to strengthen them.
CONTACT Cross Chiropractic Center
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. Robert Krause on The Back Doctors Podcast with
Dr. Michael Johnson as he discusses care of a patient with degenerative disc disease and back pain
who attained relief with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain
Management that included exercise.
Schedule your Sandy Springs chiropractic appointment
with Cross Chiropractic Center today. Don’t just sit on your weak glute muscles.
Exercise them, so they can support you
best!
"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the
DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by
Dr. James M. Cox I."