CHIROCARELA.COM: Blog

Of all the things we can do to maintain total body wellness, one of the most important is keeping our cores strong. This isn’t just a matter of liking the way we look or being in competitive athletic shape; our core muscles provide critical support to our spines and hip bones. At ChiroCareLA in Glendale, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his team are committed to helping our patients sustain wellness over the course of their lives, and for that, it’s necessary to understand some basic aspects of the core and how to care for it.   The muscles of our abdomen are made up of several layers that are all shaped differently. The deepest core muscle is the transverse abdominis, which wraps around our visceral organs in horizontal bands. The internal and external oblique muscles are on the sides of the trunk and are involved with rotating it and bending the spine. The rectus abdominis muscle is the one on the front that forms the “abs” and connects to the sternum. It helps to stabilize the trunk, but keep...

In order to keep your spine supported, you need to get regular exercise. But overuse can also lead to back pain when you aren’t warming up or varying your workout routine enough. If you’re one of the many runners with an aching back, Dr. Jack Alajajian and his staff at ChiroCareLA.com can offer you minimally invasive, non-addictive treatment options. We’ll also work with you to get you running again as soon as possible in a safe manner.   Muscles from our lower backs connect to the pelvis and upper leg. As they get worn out, a person may suffer spasms in their lower back. The spinal discs, which cushion the vertebrae, are also at risk for overuse, particularly in people over the age of fifty or who have suffered previous disc injuries. When a spinal disc is herniated, it may compress a sciatic nerve, which would cause shooting pain or numbness along a patient’s leg. Since the back gets jostled a lot during running, a runner is likelier to wear down their soft tissues. There is also a ...

Exercise is essential for maintaining balanced skeletal support. When a person has flexible muscles, they are at much less risk for the wear-and-tear injuries that allow joints to slide out of place. Not all exercises are appropriate for everyone, and if you’ve struggled with chronic pain, we urge you to visit us at ChiroCareLA.com for non-invasive, non-addictive treatment. But in general, there are a few simple rules to keep in mind when warming up and cooling down that will protect a person from overusing their muscles during work-outs.   A muscle should not be stretched while it is still “cold.” That is to say, it should not have to do anything strenuous before it is receiving adequate blood flow. Warm-ups should focus on dynamic stretches, which keep the body in motion. Those include arm circles, bird-dogging, and butt-kicks. One of the reasons yoga is popular is that it incorporates so many dynamic stretches.   The warm-up should last for at least five minutes. After that, a pers...