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Article Title: The Skinny on Muscle Imbalances - Restoring Order As A Means Of
Eliminating Back Pain
Article Author: Steve Preston
Article Copyright: 2004

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The Skinny on Muscle Imbalances - Restoring Order As A Means Of Eliminating Back
Pain
Copyright © 2004 Steve Preston
Back Pain Workout
http://www.backpainworkout.com



There are many causes of back pain. Injury, illness, herniated
disks and poor posture are just a few.

Muscle imbalances are one of the lesser side effects of improper
use, posture, strain and injury, and are commonly the cause of
the aches and pains associated with back pain. Unfortunately,
most doctors don't diagnose muscle imbalances until it is too
late.


Muscle Imbalances Defined

So what exactly is a muscle imbalance? A muscle imbalance is
exactly as it sounds, an 'imbalance' or inequality that exists
within the muscles. It occurs when two or more muscles in the
body that oppose each other are disproportionate.

An example of a common muscle imbalance occurs in the muscles
of the quadriceps and hamstrings. Most people work hard to
strengthen the front part of their leg but often skimp when it
comes to exercising the hamstring. A muscle imbalance in this
area of the leg can result in a 'popping' sound in the knee.
It can also result in back pain.

The single most common muscle imbalance leading to back pain
is disproportionate abdomen to back ratio. Think of it this
way... it's like a teeter totter that isn't balanced because
one end is shorter than the other. It will still work but not
optimally.

Not exercising the abdomen can lead to severe back pain because
the abdomen supports the back.


Biology of Muscles

It will help your understanding a bit if you have an idea of
how muscles work. Muscles are fibrous tissues that connect
to bones in the body, supporting the function of movement.
To facilitate movement muscles contract and then relax. So
a muscle gets shorter and then longer in response to movement.
A muscle imbalance may result in too much or too little
contracting or relaxing. Or, some muscles may get too strong
while others aren't strong enough and can reduce a persons'
stability.


Factors Contributing to Muscle Imbalances

One of the primary causes of muscle imbalances is poor posture.
If you sit for too long in a bad position or continually stand
with bad posture, your muscles adapt to your posture but in a
bad way resulting in imbalances.

Muscle imbalances can also result when you overuse a muscle.
If you are right handed for example and use a pull lever on the
job, and only pull with the right hand, the right hand/arm will
be stronger than the left which presents an imbalance.


The Benefits of Exercise

The good news is that exercise can help reduce and even
eliminate muscle imbalances. (If not careful however,
improper training can also lead to muscle imbalances).

You can exercise weaker muscles to catch them up to stronger
ones and work to correct imbalances and maintain overall
stability. You can assess whether or not opposing muscles are
out of balance by testing your lifting strength. Try lifting
your maximum on one side and then the other.

For example, if you can lift a 10 pound weight during a bicep
curl on the left side, but a 30 pound weight on the right, you
have a muscle imbalance. You should enlist the assistance of
a trainer when testing muscle imbalances. By working with a
trainer, you can develop a fitness program that not only
addresses muscle imbalances but improves overall tone and
strength. Usually a combination of strength training and
physical therapy or chiropractic therapy can be used to
correct muscle imbalances.


Prevention

Prevention is critical when it comes to muscle imbalances and
back pain. One of the best things you can to correct and
prevent future injury is seek out the help of a professional
trainer. A trainer can perform a physical evaluation and test
the relative muscle strength you have on each side of the body.
You can then work together to develop a strength training
program that provides overall strength and eliminates potential
problem areas.



Resource Box:
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Steve Preston, President of Fast Fitness has been training and
counseling clients for 15 years. He offers personal fitness
training, metabolic testing and customized fitness and nutrition
plans. His new guide "The Better Back Guide: 6 Weeks to
Improving Strength and Reducing Pain Without Surgery" teaches
people how to reduce, eliminate and prevent chronic back pain
using a six week program. You can read more about his guide
and his other fitness guides and services at:
http://www.fast-fitness.net
Learn More about Back Pain at: http://www.backpainworkout.com



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Posted: Fri Oct 15 03:50:36 EDT 2004


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