Exercise:
An Important Part Of Being Healthy
by S. D. Pierson
 

Part One

Exercise is an important part of our chiropractic care programs. We find that many patients benefit from special spinal rehabilitative exercises we call "Spinal Remolding". Just as the name implies, they are designed to help "remold" your spine into a better alignment pattern. Patients who do Spinal Remolding at home tend to hold their chiropractic adjustments better. They are also more flexible and handle stress better.

The first phase of Spinal Remolding is a set of five mobility exercises done in the seated position. These are done on a comfortable but firm surface, such as a dining room chair. The purpose of these first exercises is to literally warm up the ligaments of the spine in preparation for the next remolding phase.

The second phase is actually a "passive" exercise with no physical effort involved. After warming up the spine the patient simply lies on two specially designed cushions. These cushions are shaped to mold the spine back toward a more normal alignment pattern. As the spine cools down while resting on the cushions, it begins to take on the correct curve pattern imprinted by the cushions.

We recommend that anyone doing Spinal Remolding start slow, spending from two to five minutes on the cushions at first. As the spine progresses it is recommended that the patient build up to twenty minutes on the remolding cushions at least once a day.

With a little time commitment and a little effort, you can greatly increase the benefits of your chiropractic care by including Spinal Remolding!

Part Two

Spinal Remolding is "Part One" of a two part spinal rehabilitation program. "Part Two" is a program of stretching and strengthening exercise with Support Fulcrums. Spinal Remolding, if you'll recall, is a passive exercise done by just lying on special remolding cushions. The Fulcrum exercises are active exercises done at home on special Support Fulcrums. Fulcrums are firm pads about eight inches high. The patient lies on these pads to do special exercises. They are called "Fulcrums" because the pads form a point around which the spine is stretched - a fulcrum.

The goal of the Fulcrum exercises is to actively stretch and strengthen the paraspinal tissues (ligaments, muscles and tendons next to the spine) so that further rehabilitation is achieved and chiropractic spinal correction holds that much better.

There are six beginning Fulcrum exercises. There are three for the "cervicodorsal" (neck and upper back) area and three for the "Iumbodorsal" (mid and lower back) area. These exercises are a very powerful way to maximize spinal health. They involve moving the neck and low back against the resistance of the Support Fulcrum while gently stretching at the same time. The benefit is greatly enhanced spinal strength and flexibility.

As your spine improves, you can progress to doing intermediate and finally advanced Fulcrum exercises. Together with Spinal Remolding, the Fulcrum exercises give you a complete spinal rehabilitation program you can do right at home.

Please stop by at your next visit to get more details from Dr. Pierson. With a little time commitment and a little effort, you will greatly increase the benefits of your chiropractic care by including Spinal Remolding and Fulcrum exercises!