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Cardiovascular and strengthening exercises combined with chiropractic care are important in the management of lower back pain. If a chiropractic patient has a history of heart problems, it is important for the patient to consult with their Primary Care Physician to be certain they can tolerate cardiovascular fitness activities.
Specific instructions are given by the chiropractor with respect to proper exercise for the patient’s condition before beginning any exercises. Programs, in general, require a reasonable amount of exercise that is performed daily and utilizes activities that are enjoyed are recommended for patients undergoing chiropractic treatment.
Overall and when combined with chiropractic care, exercise helps promote proper digestion, keeps the muscles in proper tone, and promotes better circulation. Walking basically around the block at least once or twice a day is a convenient and popular activity. Also, many forms of work and/or household tasks can function as an exercise program. The important point is to exercise!
Types of exercise for chiropractic care.
With respect to low back pain, there are many applicable exercises that are available for patients also, undergoing chiropractic care for lower back pain. One can classify the chiropractic patient into a flexion or extension biased category to determine the variety that is best for that patient.
1. If a patient feels best when bending over (flexion Biased), exercises that
promote low back pain such as pulling the knees to the chest, posterior
pelvic tilts, bending forward from a sitting position and others are usually
helpful.
2. If a patient is least symptomatic in extension, especially if leg pain
centralizes or diminishes (Extension Biased)
3. Strengthening of the pelvic stabilizing muscles (Trunk Muscles),
hamstrings, adductors, and other overly short or tight postural muscles,
as well as proprioceptive or balance promoting exercises also can result
in a greater patient satisfying out come.
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Prior to seeing Dr. Shea I was experiencing neck and shoulder pain, lower back pain, hip pain and foot/leg cramping. My neck pain is all but gone. My shoulder pain and low back pain are improving. The cramps have lessened and I expect more improvement with future care. The biggest difference for me was the ability to sleep much better than before which affects all aspects of my life. An unexpected benefit of being of my chiropractic care was the return of my singing voice which is important to me as I have done commercial voice overs for local San Diego companies such as McDonalds, The Vein and Liposuction Center and many more. I would recommend Dr. Shea to anyone dealing with chronic pain and in fact, referred a friend to him from my work. 
Tracey W
