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November/December 2003 Alternative Health
Back Pain

by Todd Pennington, LMT Oregon Lic #3833

Back Pain is one of the most common complaints of our society. Almost everyone has it at some time or another. The question is do you have it now? Many people have movement restriction and do not even realize that it is part of back pain. In many cases, the restriction has been there so long that you no longer notice it. There is a possibility of help even if the pain has been there for years. We offer Control Muscle Release Therapy (CMRT) and NeuroMuscular Therapy (NMT). These treatments have been known to produce results in many cases.

The spine is central to all motion in the body. Its movement is governed by muscles. When muscles governing the motion of a spinal joint tighten and stay tight, they can restrict motion. In the early stages, this restriction is seldom noticed. In time the restricted motion causes more problems and may tighten more muscles, enlarging the restricted area. It can start involving other spinal joints and may affect the legs, feet, shoulder, arms and/or neck or head. In many cases, loss of the ability to bend and turn may not be painful, but can restrict life. The ability to withstand new trauma is reduced and the possibility of having greater problems increases. If the problem involves the disk between the vertebrae being pinched or herniated, you can feel a lot of pain. If the disk ruptures, then debilitating pain results. Ruptures usually last until they are taken care of, most likely by surgery. Relaxing the muscles can help to release some of the pressure on the general area of the disk, as well as at other joints such as knees, hips, shoulders, elbows and wrists.

Many things can cause back pain: car accidents, falls, even tripping and sliding; sports activities, gardening, lifting and general exercise. Incorrect lifting and bad posture in the work place contribute to the problem.

Low back pain can have its origin in several areas. Muscle tightness around the sacrum, the upper region of the glutes and inside the pelvis directly influences the low back lumbosacral junction (L5-S1). Other more distant areas that can contribute to low back pain include: foot and ankle movement restrictions, neck tightness, rib cage tightness and the muscles along the spine.

Working the glutes frequently helps to relieve a lot of the area known to low back pain sufferers as L5-S1. Those of you that know this term, frequently also know how painful it can be. Massage can help. Even more so if it is done in a way that will get the distant muscles to relax and allow the bones to move more freely.

Upper back pain can be nagging, possibly forcing changes in lifestyle to try to reduce the pain. There are many causes of upper body pain. As we lean into life many of us pull the head forward. To support this, the upper ribs frequently pull together. In time this can result in the head staying pulled forward. The head is now having to be held by muscles instead of balancing on the spine. In time the neck flexibility reduces and the shoulders round forward. One frequent result is that the upper back tightens, since the muscles in the front of the chest have a mechanical leverage advantage. In time the flexibility of the rib cage reduces. In paying attention to all of the muscles of the rib cage it is possible to relax them and improve the upper back.

Many people simply live with tight muscles that restrict movement. Many do not even feel the pain, while others rely on pain pills. Pills frequently need to be repeated, sometimes daily, sometimes every few days. Chiropractors can help put the bones back into place. In many cases this works. Relaxing the muscles can help chiropractic adjustments to be easier. Getting the muscle to relax and stay relaxed can be less painful than living with the pain. Also, as the pain reduces, the medication level may be reduced and be much easier on the body.

Long term pull on a bone, can in time deform it. The amount of relief possible depends in part on the extent of changes in the bone structure. If the work can be done before the bone is changed, then the chances of relief are improved.

NeuroMuscular Therapy is a comprehensive program of soft tissue manipulation techniques that balance the central nervous system with the structure and form of the musculoskeletal system. NeuroMuscular Therapy is based on neurological laws that explain how the central nervous system maintains homeostatic balance. NeuroMuscular Therapy looks at the cause of the problem, not just the symptoms. It is a gentle method of relaxing the muscles, one layer at a time.

Control Muscle Release Therapy looks at the muscles that control bone and muscles at a distance. The goal is to release the structure easily and gently. The easiest way to release the whole body is to relax the key regions of the body. In many cases, long term (chronic) conditions can be improved.

For more information or an appointment call Todd Pennington, LMT Oregon Lic #3833 or Pam Pennington, LMT CNMT Oregon Lic #8027, 10175 SW Barbur Blvd, Suite 306, Portland OR 97219, 503-244-4427. www.penningtonmassage.com