by Stemedix | Jun 10, 2024 | Back Pain, Chronic Pain, Health Awareness, Pain Management, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
“Back pain” is a general term that can mean many different things. From nerve pain to strained back muscles, there are various reasons your back might hurt. Dealing with chronic back pain is mentally and physically exhausting, and you deserve relief. The first step in properly managing your chronic back pain is to know what’s behind it. Use this guide to shed some light on the potential root cause of back pain, and available treatments for your comfort.
Why Does Your Back Hurt?
If you’ve experienced severe back pain before, your first question is probably, “Why?” It might feel like you’re willing to do anything to stop the pain.
Unfortunately, there isn’t one universal cause for severe back pain. If you’re struggling with it, it’s time to examine what might be causing it.
Some of the circumstances that can cause chronic back pain include:
- Neurodegenerative disease (like MS or ALS)
- Car accidents
- Sports injuries
- Musculoskeletal problems
- Spinal alignment issues
- Spinal cord infections and diseases
- Orthopedic (bone) problems
- Strained back muscles
- Poor posture
- Neuropathic pain
These are just a few of the debilitating problems you may be dealing with. A qualified healthcare professional can guide you to the proper diagnosis.
Muscular Back Pain
Your back is full of muscles that help you sit, stand, and move around. When one of these muscles’ experiences overuse, stress, or strain, you’ll feel it in major ways.
Movement Injuries
If you twist, sleep, or lift something in the wrong manner, you could end up with a strained back muscle. This will feel different than regular soreness after a back workout.
Sports injuries can affect your back muscles. Especially in contact sports and other intense activities, your back faces many risks each time you play. The more conditioned and flexible you are, the less likely you are to get an overuse or muscle strain injury.
Stress
Psychological stress can also lead to muscular back pain. When you’re stressed, your body tenses up in ways you may not even notice. The muscles in your back may become stiff, strained, or generally uncomfortable as a result.
Lack of Sleep
You also tend to lose sleep when you’re undergoing lots of mental stress. Your body uses sleep as the primary time to repair your muscles and make them stronger. If you aren’t getting enough rest at night or you work the third shift, your back muscles are more prone to pain and injury.
Neurological Back Problems
Your nervous system sends messages to all parts of your body using electrical impulses. The central hub for all of the nerves that extend outward from your body is your spinal cord. Neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries can impair your back in surprising ways.
Neuropathic Pain
Neuropathy develops when nerves throughout your body become damaged in some way. This is a common symptom of neurodegenerative diseases like MS. When your peripheral nerves are damaged, they can’t communicate with your brain properly, leading to strange sensations and pain.
Neuropathic back pain may feel like numbness, tingling, burning, “pins and needles,” or sharp excruciating pains. If you suffer from a neurological health condition, there’s a solid chance your back pain is related.
Car Accidents and Spine Injuries
Automobile accidents exert a lot of force and impact on your body all at once. When you get into an accident, even if it’s minor, your back and neck muscles can experience whiplash. In extreme cases, car accidents can also cause spinal injuries.
Spinal cord injuries are very serious. Your spinal cord protects your nerves and secures their pathway to your brain. Chronic back pain, numbness, and loss of limb function could indicate an underlying spinal injury.
Herniated Discs and Pinched Nerves
If one of the cartilage discs between your vertebrae becomes dislodged, it can press on the nerves surrounding it. A herniated disc can spell trouble for your mobility, limb functions, and comfort for years.
Vertebral problems can also pinch the nerves in your back, which results in the same thing — long-lasting sharp back pain. Discomfort from a pinched nerve will likely feel sudden, sharp, and breathtaking.
Lifestyle Factors and Back Pain
Certain aspects of your lifestyle may be causing your chronic back pain and soreness. These factors aren’t considered diseases themselves, but they can lead to chronic health problems that become long-term conditions.
The following are risk factors for chronic back pain:
- Obesity
- Poor posture
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Overtraining
- Poor nutrition
- Labor-intensive jobs
- Improper lifting techniques
Whenever possible, you should avoid these risks. Steps like wearing a posture corrector and lifting heavy objects with your leg muscles can help prevent chronic back problems.
Solving Your Pain: Back Treatment Options
You don’t have to live in unbearable pain forever. You have options when it comes to severe back pain treatment. Every person has a different threshold for pain, and you may prefer less invasive, more natural treatments than someone else.
Medication
Pain medication will block your brain from receiving pain signals in your back. Medication is a valid option for people struggling to function due to chronic back problems. However, most medications don’t treat the root cause of your back pain. It’s a good idea to consider other treatments along with medication.
Surgery
Back surgery is intense, invasive, and risky, but for some people, it’s the best and only option. Severe spinal cord injuries and disc herniations may require immediate surgery to correct the problem. After surgery, you’ll likely be instructed to perform back exercises to improve your mobility.
Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, for back pain may offer an innovative and cutting-edge option. By utilizing human-derived stem cells to repair and renew damaged tissues throughout your body, these “blank” cells can form into almost any type of specialized cell, making them a potential effective modality to help manage and heal chronic back pain.
Evaluating Your Options
It may take a few different interventions before you experience back pain relief. What’s important is that you don’t give up. With the proper treatment, you can experience mild to intense relief and continue on with your life. Medicine is always improving, and you have more options than ever before.
by Stemedix | Jan 15, 2024 | Health Awareness, Back Pain, Pain Management, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research, Stem Cell Therapy
For the treatment of a variety of health conditions, one option more people are relying on is regenerative medicine. This field focuses on helping your body’s natural healing process function at its best, making it possible for tissues to regenerate so that you can obtain pain relief and improve mobility. There are various types of regenerative medicine. Learn more about them to know the choices you have.
Regenerative Medicine: What It Is and What It’s Used For
Regenerative medicine is a group of treatments focused on healing tissues throughout the body while also restoring the function you may have lost because of aging, medical conditions, and more.
When you’re young, your body is able to heal more efficiently, but the older you get, the longer the healing process can take. In some instances, this longer length of time even leads to the development of chronic pain issues that can be tough to deal with.
With regenerative medicine, you get the chance to try minimally invasive treatments that can offer results. Most of the best regenerative medicine options focus on stem cells, but some also rely on your blood’s components to provide lasting results.
Regenerative medicine can offer help for many types of issues, including:
The kind of condition you have may dictate the type of regenerative treatment that has the potential to be most effective.
The Different Kinds of Regenerative Medicine Therapies
There are many regenerative medicine therapies to choose from, but some of the most trusted include stem cell therapy, platelet-rich plasma, and prolotherapy.
What Is Stem Cell Therapy?
Stem cell therapy is a treatment option that utilizes stem cells to promote healing. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that can create specialized ones. They have the ability to self-renew and create functional tissues, working as the body’s repair system.
During stem cell therapy, your healthcare provider injects stem cells into the treatment area. There are different types of stem cells, including adult stem cells and embryonic stem cells.
Adult stem cells are undifferentiated cells found in various tissues throughout the body, including fat and bone marrow. They have a more limited ability to differentiate than embryonic stem cells, but they are much more readily available because they come from your body.
Mesenchymal stem cells are found in fat and bone marrow, among other tissues, and they can help the body respond to inflammation and promote healing.
What Is Platelet-Rich Plasma?
Your blood is made up of a few components, including:
- White blood cells
- Red blood cells
- Plasma
- Platelets
Plasma is the liquid portion of blood. Platelets are not actually cells but cell fragments that help with the clotting process and contain growth factors that can stimulate cellular reproduction as well as healing at the treatment site. Platelet-rich plasma refers to plasma that has more platelets than usual.
To create a PRP injection, your doctor takes a sample of your blood and runs it through a centrifuge. The centrifuge spins the sample very rapidly, dividing the blood components so that your doctor can extract the platelets and add them to the plasma. This is then injected at the treatment area.
PRP therapy can be a good option for the treatment of ligament injuries, osteoarthritis, post-surgical healing, and even hair loss.
These injections work to reduce inflammation at the treatment site, which allows better circulation. More blood flow means the area receives more nutrients and oxygen, helping with the healing process. Less inflammation also means less pain.
What Is Prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is another type of regenerative medicine that can be used to relieve pain. It involves injecting a small amount of an irritant, like sugar, into the treatment area. This irritant trigger an immune response and jumpstarts your body’s natural ability.
It shows promise in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including issues with your bones, ligaments, soft tissues, and more.
Your body responds to the sugar or other irritant as a threat, triggering your immune and healing responses to rush to the area to remove the irritant and also begin the healing process.
Benefits of Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine offers the chance to get relief from pain and inflammation without having to go through invasive procedures. Most regenerative medicine options require only a minimally invasive procedure, like providing a sample of blood or undergoing a mini liposuction procedure to obtain fat.
Because regenerative medicine procedures don’t require an elaborate process, you don’t have to worry about a long preparation or recovery period. You can usually get back to your normal life right after receiving treatment.
Regenerative medicine works to help manage the underlying cause of the pain you’re experiencing. It doesn’t just mask symptoms as pain medication and anti-inflammatories do. By offering the potential of healing injuries, it may be able to provide lasting relief.
Regenerative medicine is also more affordable than an invasive procedure like surgery. The surgery itself is costly, and the recovery can mean relying on physical therapies that add to the budget. That is not an issue you have to worry about with regenerative medicine options like stem cell therapy, PRP therapy, or prolotherapy.
Managing Pain and Inflammation with Regenerative Medicine
Regenerative medicine holds significant promise for the treatment of conditions that cause pain and inflammation. By relying on your natural healing process, regenerative medicine only improves what your body does.
If you’re considering regenerative medicine to help with any conditions you face, ask your healthcare provider about it to see if it’s a good choice for you.
by Stemedix | Jan 1, 2024 | Stem Cell Therapy, Back Pain, Regenerative Medicine, Stem Cell Research
According to the World Health Organization, lower back pain affects 619 million people around the world. Lower back pain is an issue that people of all ages suffer from, and it can be debilitating. Many conditions, injuries, and damage can lead to this kind of back pain.
If you’re struggling, understanding the causes of the problem can help when deciding on the right treatment. Let’s take a closer look at the causes of lower back pain.
Muscle Strain or Sprain
Perhaps the most common reasons people experience lower back pain are muscle strains and sprains. These issues can occur gradually from overuse, or they can occur suddenly after an injury.
A low back strain occurs if you stretch the muscles that hold your spinal column in place. Tiny tears can form, leading to weaker muscles that have a harder time holding the bones of your spinal column correctly. That leads to the spine being less stable, which causes lower back pain.
A sprain occurs when the ligaments, which are the bands of tissue that hold bones together, tear away from their attachments. This, too, can happen from overuse or from an injury. The most common symptoms of muscle strains or sprains are muscle spasms, stiffness, and pain.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Degenerative disc disease is a condition in which the cushioning in your spine wears away. Your spinal discs are cushions between the bones (vertebrae) in your spinal column. They help you move and act as shock absorbers.
However, as you age, these discs begin to wear away, leading the bones to start rubbing together. Injuries and diseases can also wear away the discs.
Some of the symptoms of degenerative disc disease are:
- Pain that worsens when bending, lifting, or sitting
- Numbness and tingling in your legs or arms
- Pain that radiates down to your lower back and buttocks
The symptoms can come and go, and they can last for weeks or months at a time. The pain can range from mild to severe.
Herniated Discs
Herniated discs are injuries to the spine. Between the vertebrae in your spine are cushions called discs. The discs function as buffers, letting you move around with ease. If one of these discs tears or leaks, you have a herniated disc.
It’s a condition that affects men more than women, and it’s more likely to occur in people who sit for long periods, lift heavy objects, perform repetitive twisting or bending motions, or smoke.
Discs have gel-like centers and a firm outer layer, which can crack over time. When the inner gel-like substance pushes through the crack, you have a herniated disc. That leaked material can press on spinal nerves.
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain that occurs because of an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. You have two sciatic nerves, one on each side of the body, that run down your legs until they reach below your knee, where they then split into other nerves. Pain that occurs anywhere along that nerve is considered sciatica pain.
Herniated discs can cause sciatica as can arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and injuries. You are more at risk if you are obese, don’t have a strong core, or have a job that requires lots of lifting.
Osteoarthritis
This is the most common type of arthritis, and it occurs when the cartilage that covers your joints wears down over time, allowing your bones to rub together. Cartilage functions like a shock absorber as well as a lubricant, letting the bones that make up your joints move smoothly. With arthritis, this movement is more difficult and painful.
One of the most commonly affected areas is the lower back. Although it’s not entirely clear what causes osteoarthritis, scientists believe it occurs as a result of aging, health conditions that affect your joints, falls, and other accidents.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal stenosis is a condition in which the space around your spinal cord becomes too narrow, leading to irritation of the cord or the nerves that branch off from it. You can think of your spinal canal as a tunnel that runs through each of the vertebrae that make up your spine. Your spinal cord is contained within this tunnel.
If the space narrows, your nerves can become compressed or pinched, causing back pain. Symptoms can depend on the type of spinal stenosis you have and can include:
- Heavy feeling in your legs
- Tingling or numbness in the foot, leg, or buttocks
- Pain that gets worse when you stand or walk for a long time
- Pain in your lower back
You can have acquired spinal stenosis, meaning it develops over time, or congenital spinal stenosis, which you have from birth. Herniated discs, osteoarthritis, spinal injuries, and many other conditions can cause it.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is a condition that causes lower back pain, and it occurs when one of the bones in your spine slips out of place and onto the bone below it. This can put pressure on a nerve, resulting in back or leg pain.
Common symptoms of spondylolisthesis include:
- Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
- Back stiffness
- Hamstring muscle spasms
- Pain when bending
- Foot tingling, weakness, or numbness
Young athletes, especially gymnasts and football players, are at risk. Some people are born with spondylolisthesis.
Fractures
If you have a fracture in a bone in the lower back, this can also cause lower back pain. Fractures can occur from traumatic injuries like falls or conditions like osteoporosis.
Regenerative Medicine for Lower Back Pain
No matter what is causing your lower back pain, you can get relief from symptoms. Most people turn to pain medications and anti-inflammatories to treat back pain, but all that those drugs do is hide the symptoms. They don’t get to the underlying cause of the problem. Regenerative medicine offers something different.
Regenerative medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, stimulates the natural healing process that you need to start feeling better. Turn to your healthcare provider to see if it’s the right choice for you.
by Stemedix | Jun 12, 2023 | Back Pain
Arthritis of the lower back and hips refers to the inflammation and degeneration of the joints in these areas. The most common forms of arthritis that affect the lower back and hips are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Osteoarthritis: This is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually wears away, leading to bone-on-bone contact. Osteoarthritis in the lower back and hips can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. It is often associated with aging, previous injuries, or repetitive stress on the joints.
Rheumatoid arthritis: This is an autoimmune disease in which the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of the joints, resulting in inflammation. Rheumatoid arthritis can affect multiple joints, including those in the lower back and hips. Symptoms may include pain, stiffness, swelling, fatigue, and joint deformities.
Arthritis in the lower back and hips can cause chronic pain, difficulty with movement, and reduced quality of life. It can be exacerbated by factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, or improper posture. Treatment focuses on managing pain, reducing inflammation, and improving joint function to enhance mobility and overall well-being.
The diagnosis of arthritis of the lower back and hips typically involves a combination of medical history assessment, physical examination, imaging studies, and sometimes laboratory tests.
Based on the findings from these evaluations, your healthcare professional can determine if you have arthritis in the lower back and hips and, if so, which type of arthritis. This will help guide the appropriate treatment plan for managing your symptoms and improving your joint health.
What Are Treatment Options for Arthritis of Lower Back and Hips?
The treatment options for arthritis of the lower back and hips aim to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, improve joint function, and enhance overall quality of life. The specific treatment approach will depend on factors such as the type and severity of arthritis, individual needs, and preferences. Here are some common treatment options:
- Medications:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Over the counter NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen sodium can help reduce pain and inflammation.
- Analgesics: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen may be used to manage pain.
- Topical medications: Creams, gels, or patches containing NSAIDs, or capsaicin can provide localized pain relief.
- Corticosteroids: In some cases, corticosteroid injections into the affected joints may be recommended for short-term pain relief and reduced inflammation.
- Physical therapy:
- A physical therapist can develop an exercise program to improve joint flexibility, strengthen supporting muscles, and enhance overall function.
- Manual therapy techniques, such as joint mobilization or manipulation, may be used to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
- Heat or cold therapy, ultrasound, or electrical stimulation may be incorporated to relieve pain and inflammation.
- Assistive devices:
- Using assistive devices like canes, crutches, or walkers can help reduce stress on the joints and improve mobility.
- Orthotic devices, such as shoe inserts or supportive braces, can provide stability and alleviate joint pressure.
- Lifestyle modifications:
- Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on the joints.
- Regular exercise, such as low-impact activities like swimming or cycling, can improve joint flexibility and strength.
- Good posture and body mechanics can help minimize strain on the lower back and hips.
- Heat and cold therapy:
- Applying heat or cold packs to the affected areas can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
- Complementary therapies:
- Techniques like acupuncture, yoga, tai chi, or massage therapy may provide pain relief and improve joint function for some individuals.
- Surgical interventions:
- In severe cases of arthritis that don’t respond to conservative treatments, surgical options like joint replacement or joint fusion may be considered. These are typically considered when conservative measures have been exhausted and arthritis significantly impacts daily life.
It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a rheumatologist or orthopedic specialist, to discuss your symptoms, receive an accurate diagnosis, and develop a personalized treatment plan that suits your specific needs. Some patients are exploring non traditional options such as regenerative medicine.
Regenerative Medicine for Arthritis of Lower Back and Hips
Regenerative Medicine, also known as stem cell therapy, utilizes the properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). These cells have gained attention as a potential treatment for arthritis, including arthritis of the lower back and hips. MSCs are a type of stem cell that can differentiate into various cell types, including bone, cartilage, and fat cells. They also possess anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which are beneficial for managing arthritis.
While research on the use of MSCs for arthritis is still ongoing and evolving, several studies have explored their potential benefits. Here are some important points to consider:
- Mechanism of action: MSCs have the ability to differentiate into chondrocytes (cartilage cells) and promote the production of cartilage tissue. They can also modulate the immune response and reduce inflammation in the joints.
- Administration: MSCs can be administered in various ways, such as through injections directly into the affected joints or through intravenous infusion. The specific method of administration may vary depending on the study protocol and the expertise of the healthcare provider.
- Research findings: Preliminary research and clinical trials have shown promising results regarding the use of MSCs for arthritis. Some studies have reported improvements in pain, joint function, and quality of life in patients with arthritis, including those with lower back and hip involvement. However, it’s important to note that more extensive research is needed to establish the long-term safety and efficacy of MSC therapy for arthritis.
If you are considering MSC therapy for arthritis, it’s important to research and determine if this is a good option for you. Finding a quality provider can help you make an informed decision about the potential risks and benefits. To learn more about treatment options for arthritis in lower back and hips call us today at Stemedix!
by Stemedix | Mar 20, 2023 | Back Pain
Lower back pain is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide and can be caused by several factors. It is estimated that about 80% of adults will experience lower back pain at some point in their lives. Here we will discuss how to relieve lower back pain.
While some cases of lower back pain are mild and can be easily treated at home, others may require medical attention. If you are experiencing lower back pain, it is important to seek a medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause so an appropriate treatment plan can be developed to help relieve symptoms.
Causes of Lower Back Pain
Lower back pain can be caused by several factors, including:
- Poor Posture: Sitting or standing for long periods in the wrong posture can cause lower back pain.
- Injury: An injury to the lower back, such as a sprain or strain, can cause pain.
- Herniated Disc: A herniated disc can cause lower back pain by pressing on the nerves in the lower back.
- Arthritis: Arthritis can cause inflammation in the joints of the lower back, leading to pain.
- Osteoporosis: Osteoporosis weakens the bones in the spine, making them more prone to fractures.
Symptoms of Lower Back Pain
- Lower back pain can manifest in various ways, including:
- Dull or sharp pain in the lower back.
- Pain that radiates to the legs.
- Stiffness in the lower back.
- Numbness or tingling sensation in the legs.
- Weakness in the legs.
Relief Options for Lower Back Pain
Exercise: Exercise is an important part of managing low back pain. Regular exercise can help strengthen the muscles that support the lower back, improve flexibility and range of motion, and reduce the risk of future injuries.
Stretching: Gentle stretching can help relieve tension in the muscles and alleviate pain. Remember to listen to your body and move slowly and gently, especially if you’re experiencing pain.
Heat Therapy: Also known as thermotherapy, this therapy can help to relax muscles and increase blood flow to the affected area, which can be helpful in reducing muscle tension and stiffness.
Cold Therapy: Also known as cryotherapy, this therapy can help reduce inflammation and swelling. It can be most helpful in the first 48-72 hours after a back injury using the 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off timing method.
Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen can help alleviate pain. Be sure to speak to your healthcare provider on which options are best for you.
Massage Therapy: Massage therapy can be an effective treatment option for lower back pain, as it can help to relax tight muscles, increase circulation, and reduce inflammation. However, it’s important to note that massage therapy should be used in conjunction with other treatments and under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
Chiropractic Care: Chiropractic care involves the manual manipulation and other techniques to help alleviate pain, improve mobility, and restore function.
Regenerative Medicine for Lower Back Pain
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly growing field of medicine that focuses on inflammation and the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues. In recent years, regenerative medicine has shown promise in the treatment of lower back pain. There are several regenerative medicine techniques that are being used to treat lower back pain, including:
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: PRP therapy involves injecting a concentrated dose of platelets, growth factors, and other healing factors derived from the patient’s own blood into the damaged area of the lower back. These growth factors promote tissue repair and regeneration, reducing inflammation and pain.
Stem cell therapy: Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells derived from the patient’s own bone marrow or adipose tissue into the damaged area of the lower back. These stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various types of cells, including bone, cartilage, and muscle cells, which can help repair and regenerate damaged tissues.
Prolotherapy: Prolotherapy involves injecting a solution of dextrose or other irritants into the damaged area of the lower back. This solution stimulates the body’s natural healing process, promoting tissue repair and regeneration.While regenerative medicine techniques have shown promise on the effectiveness and safety for treatment of lower back pain, research will continue to help build on this foundation of studies. It is also important to note that these treatments may not be appropriate for all patients and should only be performed by trained medical professionals. If you are experiencing lower back pain, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
by admin | Feb 1, 2023 | Back Pain, Health Awareness
Stretching the back muscles is a beneficial way to reduce back pain and tension, improve your range of motion, and strengthen the lower back muscles.
When stretching your back muscles, it’s critical to be gentle so that you carefully and safely build up strength and release tension.
For back pain relief, there are a few different stretches you can try.
Child’s Pose
The child’s pose is a restorative pose in yoga designed to stretch the muscles of the lower back, buttocks, and thighs while releasing tension along the neck, shoulders, and spine.
To get into the child’s pose:
- Find a tabletop position with your hands and knees on the ground
- Sink your hips back until they rest at your heels
- Slowly fold forward as you walk your hands out in front of you, eventually resting your stomach on your thighs
- Extend your arms out as you breathe deeply to release any lingering tension
You can hold this pose for one minute or as long as it feels good.
Knee-to-Chest Stretch
This stretch releases tension from your lower back while relaxing the muscles of your hips, glutes, and thighs.
For the knee-to-chest stretch:
- Lie on your back, planting your feet on the floor
- Pull your right knee to your chest while extending your left leg to the floor
- Avoid lifting your hips as you hug your knee into your chest, wrapping your hands behind your thigh or around your shinbone
Breathe deeply for up to a minute before repeating the stretch with the left leg.
Sphinx Stretch
Stretching your back like a sphinx allows you to engage in a gentle backbend that strengthens and lengthens your spine, chest, and core.
To find the sphinx stretch:
- Start lying on the floor, stomach down
- Plant your hands ahead of your shoulders as you engage your glutes and core, slowly lifting your chest from the floor as you lengthen your arms
- If this stretch feels too intense, lower your forearms to the ground with your shoulders stacked over your elbows
- Hold for 30 seconds to a minute before releasing back to the ground
Carefully stretching and strengthening your lower back can offer long-term pain relief and an immediate release of tension. As you perform these exercises, you should be able to breathe comfortably and smoothly. By using your breath as a gauge, you can ensure you don’t overdo it.
Regenerative Medicine for Lower Back Pain
Regenerative medicine is a rapidly evolving field that aims to develop new therapies to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including lower back pain. There are several potential regenerative medicine treatments that are being investigated for lower back pain, including:
Stem cell therapy: Stem cells are cells that have the ability to differentiate into many different types of cells in the body. Stem cell therapy involves injecting stem cells into the affected area to promote the growth of new, healthy tissue.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: PRP therapy involves extracting a patient’s own blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting the concentrated platelets into the affected area to promote healing and tissue regeneration.
These are options available for patients who may want to explore an alternative option either in place of or in conjunction with traditional therapies available. Choosing a facility that offers these options should have board-certified providers performing the therapies and a positive and reputable background. Talk to your healthcare provider to determine which may be best for your care and wellness.
St. Petersburg, Florida
