Tighten the Tent - Physical Therapy Tip

Here's a simple hack that I found to be the most effective thing for treating all types of low back issues. I call it "Tighten the Tent."

This white fascia tissue overlies your low back muscles and attaches into your vertebrae forming a tent like structure that stabilizes and supports your spine. Transverse abdominis, your deepest of your four abdominal muscles, attaches here to the side of the tent beneath the top layer and pulls this fascial tent tight from the sides while the gluteus maximus pulls the fascia tight from below.

Then this deep low back muscle, the multifidus, fills out the tent working like tent poles. Here are a couple of simple exercises that target all three of these muscles that tighten the tent and stabilize the spine.

1) One-legged bridge: make sure you pull in that stomach and limit the height of the lift or go to two-legged bridges if it triggers low back pain.
2) Modified roman chair: again making sure you pull in that stomach and only raise your trunk as high as tolerated.

Two sets of 10 to 20, 3 times a week and you're going to have a healthier low back!

Are you in pain but not sure how to manage it? Call 616-256-8679 to schedule your FREE consultation today and learn how physical therapy could help you. For more information please visit any of our Hulst Jepsen Physical Therapy locations or check out our website at www.hjphysicaltherapy.com.