Chiropractic for Low Back Pain
Video by Dr. Bryan Stephens
One of the causes of low back pain that I see come into our East Dallas office is improper firing of the muscles in the hip. As this pattern continues, the repetitive motions build up and create tension and inflammation in the hip and back. While many of the exercises focus on the core for stability, hip stability is also required to help encourage proper motion and reduce inflammation from physical stresses created by compensations.
The fire hydrant exercise is an effective bodyweight movement that primarily targets the hip abductors and core muscles, playing a key role in improving hip stability. The main muscle activated is the gluteus medius, which is essential for maintaining pelvic stability during activities like walking, running, or standing on one leg. The gluteus minimus assists in this function by helping to stabilize the femoral head within the hip joint, while the gluteus maximus supports the movement by contributing to hip extension and external rotation.
Additionally, the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) aids in pelvic stabilization and abduction of the thigh. Throughout the exercise, the core muscles, particularly the obliques and transverse abdominis, are engaged to prevent rotation of the spine and to maintain proper posture.
Hip stability is crucial for overall movement efficiency, balance, and injury prevention. Strong hip stabilizers help maintain proper alignment, reducing strain on the knees and lower back, and promoting a healthy gait pattern. They also support joint integrity and enhance athletic performance by improving movement control and strength. As such, incorporating exercises like fire hydrants into a regular routine can significantly benefit both functional fitness and long-term musculoskeletal health.
“These findings suggest that the performance of hip exercises by chronic low-back pain patients with lumbar instability is more effective than conventional therapy at reducing low-back pain and levels of disability.”
wk Lee, Sang, and Suhn Yeop Kim. “Effects of hip exercises for chronic low-back pain patients with lumbar instability.” Journal of physical therapy science 27.2 (2015): 345-348.
Our Message
We love to help our patients in East Dallas stay healthy. We are here to relieve back pain, neck pain and headaches while also teaching about how our diet and stress effects our over all health. By improving these areas of our lives we can become healthier, stay out of pain and reduce risk of diseases. Our Chiropractors located in Lakewood, near the corner of Mockingbird Ln. and Abrams Rd., want to help you stay healthy and out of pain!
