RUNAWAY BACK PAIN On a daily basis, you run more than any other physical activity. How you run defines most everything about you, including your physical abilities. We can help you discover that something about the way you run, maybe even the reason you have pain and help you change it. You may run over a million steps in a year Your run involves many body parts, all interacting together to produce your running style. It’s as natural as breathing, and if any of your six (two ankles, two knees, two hips) weight-bearing joints are not in good alignment, you’re at risk for structural pain. One minor running error repeated millions of times can do an incredible amount of damage to your back, muscles, nerves and joints. This can eventually cause pain and arthritis. Often, the cause of back pain is poor strength -- specifically, weak abdominal muscles. The pelvis is held in place by numerous muscles, including the abdominals, hamstrings, gluteals and hip flexors. An imbalance or weakness in these muscles can lead to pelvic misalignment, causing the pelvis to tilt forward or backward. Forward tilt of the pelvis leads to a swayback. In addition to abdominal weakness, a lack of strength in the gluteals and hamstrings leads to forward pelvic tilt. While the abdominals stabilize the pelvis by pulling upward on the front, the gluteals and hamstrings offer stability by pulling down on the rear of the pelvis. Exercises must be done to strengthen both the abdominals and gluteals. Running gives the gluteals a good workout. The abdominal muscles can be conditioned through physical therapy and easy weight training exercises.
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