LifeCare Chiropractic

The Best Chiropractic Care in Mesa, Arizona

Arthritis

Sound Waves That Heal: Everything You Need to Know About Shockwave Therapy for Pain Relief

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Imagine if someone told you that sound waves yes, actual acoustic waves could help heal your chronic pain without surgery, injections, or medications. Sounds like something out of a sci-fi movie, right? Yet that’s exactly what shockwave therapy does, and it’s been quietly revolutionizing pain management for conditions that have frustrated patients and doctors for years.

Let me walk you through this fascinating treatment that’s helping people get back to doing what they love, pain-free.

What Is Shockwave Therapy, Really?

Shockwave therapy, also called Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy (ESWT), is a non-invasive treatment that uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in injured tissues. These aren’t the kind of shockwaves you’re thinking of with no electricity involved. Instead, they’re high-energy sound waves that penetrate deep into your body’s tissues.

The technology was originally developed to break up kidney stones without surgery (a procedure called lithotripsy). Medical professionals noticed something interesting: patients receiving this treatment often reported improved healing in surrounding tissues. This observation led to exploring its use for musculoskeletal conditions, and the results have been impressive.

Today, shockwave therapy is used by orthopedic specialists, physiotherapists, sports medicine doctors, and chiropractors to treat various chronic pain conditions that haven’t responded well to traditional treatments.

How Does This Actually Work?

Here’s where it gets fascinating. When shockwave therapy is applied to an injured area, those acoustic waves create a biological response in your body. They increase blood flow to the affected area, which brings oxygen and nutrients essential for healing. They also stimulate the production of collagen, a crucial protein for tissue repair.

But here’s the really interesting part: the shockwaves actually create controlled micro-trauma to the tissue. I know, that sounds counterintuitive creating tiny injuries to heal an injury? But this micro-trauma triggers your body’s natural healing response, essentially “waking up” tissues that have been stuck in a chronic pain cycle.

The treatment also helps break down calcified fibroblasts and scar tissue that may be causing pain and limiting movement. Plus, it can reduce substance P, a neurotransmitter that communicates pain signals to your brain. Less substance P means less pain perception.

Think of it as hitting the reset button on your body’s healing process.

What Conditions Can Shockwave Therapy Treat?

Shockwave therapy has shown remarkable effectiveness for a range of stubborn conditions. Let’s break down the most common ones.

Plantar Fasciitis

If you’ve ever experienced that stabbing pain in your heel when you take your first steps in the morning, you might be dealing with plantar fasciitis. This condition involves inflammation of the thick band of tissue running across the bottom of your foot. It’s incredibly common and incredibly frustrating to treat.

Shockwave therapy has become a go-to treatment for chronic plantar fasciitis that hasn’t improved with stretching, orthotics, or rest. Studies show success rates of 65-90% for reducing pain and improving function. Many patients who were considering surgery have found relief through shockwave therapy instead.

Achilles Tendinopathy

That nagging pain in the back of your ankle that makes running or even walking painful? Achilles tendinopathy is notoriously difficult to treat, especially in active individuals. Shockwave therapy helps regenerate damaged tendon tissue and has helped many athletes return to their sport without the need for surgical intervention.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)

You don’t have to play tennis to get a tennis elbow. This painful condition affects the tendons on the outside of your elbow and is common among people who do repetitive arm motions, think carpenters, painters, or office workers with poor ergonomics.

Research has demonstrated that shockwave therapy can be highly effective for chronic tennis elbow, with many patients experiencing significant pain reduction and improved grip strength after treatment.

Shoulder Pain and Calcific Tendinitis

Shoulder pain can be debilitating, affecting everything from getting dressed to reaching for items on high shelves. Calcific tendinitis, where calcium deposits form in the rotator cuff tendons, is particularly painful. Shockwave therapy can help break down these calcium deposits and promote healing of the surrounding tissues.

Shin Splints

Runners, dancers, and military personnel know shin splints all too well. This overuse injury causes pain along the shinbone and can sideline athletes for weeks or months. Shockwave therapy offers a treatment option that can accelerate healing and get people back to activity faster than rest alone.

Chronic Muscle Pain and Trigger Points

Those stubborn knots in your muscles that massage can’t quite seem to release? Shockwave therapy can target trigger points and areas of chronic muscle tension, helping to restore normal muscle function and reduce pain.

What Does a Treatment Session Look Like?

Let’s talk about what you can actually expect if you decide to try shockwave therapy.

First, your healthcare provider will identify the exact location of your pain and mark the treatment area. They’ll apply a gel to your skin (similar to what’s used during an ultrasound) to help the shockwaves penetrate effectively.

Then comes the treatment itself. The provider will use a handheld device that delivers the shockwaves to the affected area. You’ll feel a pulsing sensation some people describe as a deep tapping feeling. Is it painful? That’s honestly going to depend on your pain tolerance and the intensity setting used.

Most people describe it as uncomfortable rather than painful, rating it around a 4-6 out of 10 on the pain scale. The good news is that each session typically lasts only 5-10 minutes. That’s it. Short and efficient.

How Many Sessions Will You Need?

Here’s where expectations matter. Unlike taking a pain pill, shockwave therapy isn’t a one-and-done solution. Most conditions require a series of treatments to see optimal results.

Typically, you’ll need 3-5 sessions spaced about a week apart. Some conditions might require more sessions, while others might respond well with fewer. Your healthcare provider will develop a treatment plan based on your specific condition and how you respond to the initial sessions.

The interesting thing about shockwave therapy is that you might not feel immediate relief. In fact, some people experience a temporary increase in pain or soreness for a day or two after treatment. But as the weeks progress, most people notice gradual improvement. The real results often become apparent 6-12 weeks after completing the treatment series.

The Benefits That Make It Worth Considering

Non-Invasive and Drug-Free

In an era where we’re trying to reduce reliance on pain medications and avoid surgery when possible, shockwave therapy offers an appealing middle ground. No incisions, no anesthesia, no prescription painkillers.

Minimal Downtime

You can literally have a treatment session during your lunch break and return to work. While you might want to avoid intense physical activity in the treatment area for a day or two, there’s no prolonged recovery period like you’d experience with surgery.

Effective for Chronic Conditions

Perhaps the most compelling benefit is that shockwave therapy works for conditions that have resisted other treatments. When you’ve tried physical therapy, medications, injections, and rest without success, having another option that actually works feels like a lifeline.

Long-Lasting Results

Unlike treatments that provide temporary relief, shockwave therapy addresses the underlying problem. Many patients experience lasting improvement, with studies showing sustained benefits for 6-12 months or longer after treatment.

Are There Any Downsides or Risks?

Let’s be balanced here. While shockwave therapy is generally safe, it’s not perfect for everyone.

Temporary Discomfort

As mentioned, the treatment itself can be uncomfortable, and you might experience soreness, swelling, or bruising in the treated area for a few days afterward. Some people also experience temporary numbness or tingling.

Not Suitable for Everyone

Shockwave therapy isn’t recommended if you’re pregnant, have blood clotting disorders, are taking blood thinners, have infections in the treatment area, or have certain other medical conditions. Always discuss your full medical history with your provider.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Here’s a practical consideration: while shockwave therapy is becoming more mainstream, insurance coverage can be hit or miss. Some plans cover it, others don’t, and you might end up paying out of pocket. Sessions typically range from $100-500 each, depending on your location and provider.

Not Instant Gratification

If you’re hoping for immediate pain relief, you might be disappointed. The healing process takes time, and patience is required to see the full benefits.

Making the Decision: Is Shockwave Therapy Right for You?

Shockwave therapy tends to work best for people who:

  • Have chronic pain that’s lasted more than three months
  • Haven’t found relief with conservative treatments like rest, ice, physical therapy, or medications
  • Want to avoid surgery or injections
  • Are willing to commit to multiple treatment sessions
  • Have realistic expectations about the timeline for improvement

It’s not typically a first-line treatment. Most healthcare providers will recommend trying conservative approaches first. But if those haven’t worked and you’re facing the prospect of more invasive interventions, shockwave therapy represents a valuable option to explore.

Finding the Right Provider

If you’re interested in trying shockwave therapy, look for a provider who’s properly trained and experienced with the technology. This might be a physical therapist, orthopedic specialist, sports medicine doctor, or chiropractor. Don’t hesitate to ask about their experience, success rates, and what specific type of shockwave device they use (yes, there are different types).

A good provider will take time to assess your condition thoroughly, explain whether you’re a good candidate, set realistic expectations, and develop a personalized treatment plan.

Summary

Shockwave therapy uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing in chronic pain conditions by increasing blood flow, promoting collagen production, and triggering the body’s natural healing response. Originally developed for kidney stones, this non-invasive treatment has proven highly effective for conditions like plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinopathy, tennis elbow, and shoulder pain.

Treatment sessions last just 5-10 minutes, with most people needing 3-5 sessions spaced a week apart. While the procedure can be uncomfortable and results take 6-12 weeks to fully manifest, it offers a drug-free, surgery-free alternative for chronic conditions that haven’t responded to conservative treatments. Though not covered by all insurance plans and requiring patience for results, shockwave therapy provides long-lasting pain relief for many patients who’ve exhausted other options, making it a valuable tool in modern pain management.

Back Pain Chiropractor Mesa AZ

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Chiropractic Hospital –

CHIROPRACTIC CARE OF LOW BACK PAIN IN HOSPITALS IMPROVES CARE?  There have been many stories of the better outcomes and happier patients when chiropractic care is added to the ER care for patients with low back pain, but this is the first study that I’m aware of that actually proves it.  It makes sense.  I can’t tell you how many times patients went to the ER with their neck pain, headache, shoulder pain, mid back pain, low back pain before they came in to see me.  Rarely do they ever feel the visit produces any real benefit.  What if that patient had a chiropractor to see after everything else had failed (actually…it should be BEFORE everything else failed, but that’s an even larger hurdle to jump..)?  Reports from hospitals that have added chiropractic care to their ER consistently shows happier and better satisfied patients who presented with low back pain. Read More…

Natural Treatments for Arthritis Go Head to Head with Dangerous Drugs

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Natural Treatments for arthritis
Natural Treatments for arthritis

There are lots of claims about natural treatments for arthritis, but which ones work?

Without any good answers, all too many of us drop back on drugs for arthritis pain.  The list can include drugs like steroids and NSAIDs.  These drugs come with a list of side effects that you would not want to experience (if you’re really up to learning all about why NSAIDs are so bad for your health, feel free to check out my eBook on the topic by clicking here).

A few years back, the drug companies were able to come up with a new version of the most common class of anti-inflammatories, the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors.  This NSAID class includes drugs like ibuprofen, and indomethacin.  The problem with this class of drugs is that one of the enzymes they block just so happens to protect the lining of the stomach.  This is why the big risk with these drugs is bleeding ulcers and why some 20,000 people per year die as a result of taking these drugs.

Because of this tiny little side effect, researchers developed a class of drugs that do not block the one version of the enzyme that protects the stomach lining.  Thus was born the selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors that rose to the top of the drug food chain to become one of the most financially successful blockbuster drugs of its time.

At least, until it was determined that, while this drug was a wee bit safer on the stomach,  unfortunately this drug DID block one enzyme that protected the heart, leading to some 100,000+ heart attacks and who knows how many deaths from Vioxx alone.  To make matters worse, Merck hid this data for years until it blew up in their face, resulting in hundreds of lawsuits from families that lost their loved ones.

Luckily (for the drug companies) the public has a short memory and Celebrex is still available on the market and prescriptions are still being written today for patients with arthritis pain who probably forgot about the entire Vioxx debacle.

So, if you happen to be one of those patients whose primary care doctor also has a short memory and wrote you a prescription for Celebrex, there may be an answer.

This particular article pits the natural combination of glucosamine and chondroitin up against Celebrex in 606 patients with knee arthritis and severe pain (Kellgren and Lawrence grades 2–3 knee osteoarthritis and moderate-to-severe pain based on the Western Ontario and McMaster osteoarthritis index-WOMAC-score ≥301 an a 0–500 scale).

Patients received either 400 mg chondroitin sulfate, 500 mg glucosamine combination three times a day or 200 mg celecoxib (Celebrex) every day for 6 months.  Here’s what they found:

  • The natural arthritis treatment group dropped 50.1% (WOMAC score).
  • The drug-known-to-kill group had a matched 50.2% decrease.
  • At 6 months, 79.7% of patients in the natural arthritis treatment group and 79.2% in the toxic arthritis drug (Celebrex, in case you’re not following along) group fulfilled OMERACT-OARSI criteria.
  • Both groups had more than a 50% reduction in joint swelling and effusion.

Sounds like a pretty even match, right?  Yeah–except that neither glucosamine nor chondroitin, in the history of its use, has been associated with even a single death (that I’m aware of–I’m sure there’s a patient or two who choked to death taking the supplements…), while Celebrex is in a class of drugs that is so bad for the heart that cardiology recommendations now state that NO heart disease patients should be on NSAIDs.

Oh..and it’s WAY cheaper.  So which one are YOU taking?

How to Prevent Osteoarthritis After Injury

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knee osteoarthritis symptoms
Knee arthritis and steroid injections

The more astute of us are rightfully concerned with developing arthritis as we age. Luckily, this is not a foregone conclusion.

Most people incorrectly think that injury to a joint is the only major factor that leads to the later development of arthritis in that joint. While any injury to a joint is an important player, there are other factors at play.

(I also have patients who state that his or her left knee pain is just from old age.  At this point I ask how much older it is than the other knee…)

For arthritis of the spine related to disc degeneration, we have known for a long time that a lifestyle that is pro-heart disease will also increase your risk for disc degeneration and spinal arthritis. The reason for this is simple—discs do not have their own blood supply. Instead, they are fed indirectly by small blood vessels. If these small blood vessels become filled with plaque, they can no longer deliver needed nutrients to the discs. With normal use, these discs will break down because they can’t meet the demands of daily life.

The surfaces of your joints are not too much different. Poor blood vessel health will lower the ability of your joint surfaces to get the nutrients they need to respond to day to day demands.

This means that a lifestyle that is designed to protect your heart will also protect your joints. Pretty cool. NOT killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

This particular study may give us even more insight into how we can protect our joints. In it, researchers looked at the ability of different types of fats (specifically saturated fats, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids) to protect against damage to the medial meniscus of the knees of mice.

They found that saturated fats and omega 6 fatty acids did not protect against the later development of osteoarthritis and even increased the amount of arthritis that resulted, they increased extra bone formation around the joint (a hallmark of osteoarthritis) and increased scar formation.

Let me put this more plainly: The dietary choices you make WILL absolutely increase the damage to your joints that occurs with an injury, leading to more osteoarthritis in your joints years later.

Luckily, the omega 3 fatty acids were a different story.

The omega 3 fatty acids were able to enhance wound repair as well as lower the risk of later development of arthritis. Pretty cool that diet can play this powerful of a role.

In case you need a refresher on which fats to avoid, here’s some help:

  • The main source of saturated fats include fats contained in our society’s poorly raised livestock.
  • Omega 6 fatty acids are found in certain oils like corn, sunflower, soybean and peanut oils.
  • Omega 3 fatty acids are found in nuts, seeds (such as flax), wild caught fish and game, certain grains (salba, quinoa as examples) and grass fed beef.

Just by making smart dietary choices combined with maintaining an ideal body weight and staying active you can go a long way towards protecting your joints for years to come.

Is would also seem that, just in case all the other things that they are good for has not been enough, fish oils supplements would play a role in preventing osteoarthritis, especially after injury.

Osteoarthritis is NOT something that has to happen to your joints. Think about that the next time you reach for that bag of chips…

 

Having Orthopedic Surgery? You NEED to Know this Scary Risk

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orthopredic surgery and troponin
lenetsnikolai / Dollar Photo Club

Everyone knows that there are risks associated with any surgery. But the risks that you know about are the obvious ones.

Problems with the anesthesia such as aspiration pneumonitis or respiratory failure.  Problems with the surgery itself such as excessive blood loss, damaging the spinal cord or spinal nerves, infection or blood clots.

But what if there was something more insidious that can occur?  Something that won’t kill you today or tomorrow, but waits in the shadows until years later?

Before I tell you what this scary thing is, I do need to point out that there is a time and a place for orthopedic surgery.  But this should only be considered as an absolute last option.  All too often we THINK something is a last option.

But time and time again research proves that this is just not true.  Some examples:

This list is much longer, but you get the idea.  There are an uncountable number of orthopedic surgeries done every year that were unnecessary.  Which would be fine if there weren’t dangerous risks associated with orthopedic surgery and the chance that you will be no better after the surgery, or worse, in more pain after the surgery.

Side note–these comments do not apply to trauma-induced orthopedic surgeries–in these cases there are usually no options for avoiding an emergency surgery after trauma.

All of this brings me to this particular study.  In it, researchers looked at a scary side effect of orthopedic surgery called myocardial necrosis.  As you may be able to tell from the name, this is a condition were the heart muscle dies as a result of the stress on the heart from the surgery.  This bad effect from surgery is well known and characterized for short term mortality after orthopedic surgery.

What is not as well-known is what happens in the long term.  To get a better idea of how often this happens, researchers looked at levels of troponin (a protein found in the heart; elevated troponin levels are a sign that damage to the heart has occurred) immediately after orthopedic surgery and whether this related to long term death in hip, knee, and spine surgery 3 years later.  Here’s the details:

  • There were 3,050 surgeries with an average age of 60.8 years.
  • Myocardial necrosis occurred in 179 cases (5.9%) and heart attacks in 20 (0.7%).
  • In those patient who experienced myocardial necrosis, 16.8% of them did not survive in the long term (3 years).
  • In those who had normal troponin levels around the time of surgery only 5.8% did not survive.
  • To put it clearer, those orthopedic surgery patients who had higher levels of troponin were 233% more likely to die in the long term evaluation, while those who had a heart attack after the surgerys were 351% more likely to die.

Now certainly, if you had a heart attack just after your orthopedic surgery you’d know about it.  But myocardial necrosis may not have been fully explained to you if it had been identified.  Either way, if you DO end up having orthopedic surgery, it may makes sense to push your surgeon to run troponin levels along with everything else to get an idea about whether or not you’re going to be around in the next 3 years.

Seems simple enough.

 

Time a New Hip? News Your Ortho Doesn’t Want you to Know

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hip replacement and exercise
philhol/DollarPhotoClub

Arthritis in any joint is a bad thing and sucks your quality of life. At a time when should be enjoying life more, you find you can’t move because of hip pain.

When you were younger, nothing slowed you down but now, even a short trip to the mall sucks.  And forget exercise—it’s way too painful.

I see this scenario all too often in my practice.  And certainly not just the hip, but also the knee and spine.  Arthritis in any of these areas can be painful enough to put a dent in your quality of life.

The best way to deal with arthritis is to prevent it in the first place by staying active, maintaining an ideal body weight and living an anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory lifestyle.  All of these things will go a long way towards keeping arthritis at bay for a lifetime.

If you read my recent blog post on the links between arthritis and heart disease (which can be read by clicking here), then you already know that joints need motion to get nutrition in and waste products out.  And this applies to a perfectly healthy joint or a joint riddled with arthritis.  Movement is key.

That is one of the reasons why we are able to help most of the arthritis sufferers that come into our office.  The combination of advanced soft tissue techniques (like Graston, ART, NMR and Fascial Manipulation) with stretching and chiropractic adjusting goes a long way towards keeping joints moving and lubricated.

However, if the patient that comes into our office decides to leave our office and sit his or her butt back on the couch, the outcome is not going to be nearly as good.  As I mentioned, exercise is a key component to the management of arthritis, both treatment and prevention.

For clarification, I am not talking about “exercises” that you would get from a therapist or from an orthopedic surgeon.  I have always explained to patients that, when combined with treatment in our office, life is rehab enough.  Hiking, yoga, tai-chi, tennis, racquetball—these are the types of activities that will keep your joints lubricated and moving.  Not spending 20 minutes every morning doing hip-specific stretching and exercises.

But just how powerful can exercise be if you already have arthritis of the hip?  Even worse, if you have been told your only answer is a hip replacement?

For that answer, I bring you this particular study.  In it, researchers asked just this same question in a group of 109 patients who had painful arthritis of the hip confirmed by X-ray.  They were given either exercise therapy and patient education or patient education only and followed for 6 years to seen what effect the exercises had on saving the hip and preventing the hip replacement.

The results may surprise you:

  • 22 patients (59%) in the combo group ended up having a hip replacement while 31 (75%) patients in the education-only group had a total hip replacement.
  • To put this another way, 41% in the combo group save their hips, but only 25% in the exercise-alone group avoided the hip replacement.
  • Overall, this meant that those who did the exercises had a 44% lower risk of having the hip replaced.
  • Even better, in those that did end up with a hip replacement, the exercise group delayed the surgery for 5.4 years while the education-alone group had the replacement done at 3.5 years, almost a full 2 years earlier.

This is not too shabby for a treatment that has no cost, no side effects and is going to have lots of additional benefits.

Contrast this with the use of anti-inflammatories to control the pain of hip arthritis.  NSAIDs will destroy your intestinal tract, destroy your brain, give you a heart attack or stroke and, paradoxically, lead to the destruction of the joint that you are trying to protect.

Quite a difference.

 

Have Arthritis? Then You’re Likely at Risk for This Disease

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arthritis and heart disease
7activestudio/Dollar Photo Club

As a chiropractor, I deal with patients who have arthritis pretty much every day.  Some want answers, some want reasons.  In most cases, we can provide both of these.

Many seem to think that past trauma is a factor in developing arthritis.  While this is definitely the case, it’s not the cause of most patients’ arthritis.  Rather, the bigger cause of arthritis is something that most of us are not aware of but way too many of us in society today are at a high risk for.

But first, a quick overview on the structure of your joints.  The surface of all your joints are covered with cartilage that acts as a type of shock absorber to cushion the impact of bone and bone when you move.  Cartilage is made up of about 5% chondrocytes (these are the cells that make cartilage), 65-85% water, 15-25% Type II collagen and 2-10% proteoglycans (sugar-protein molecules that bind with water to form a shock-absorbing gel). Since the cartilage-making chondrocytes are sitting inside this cartilage-gel layer, it does not have its own blood supply and needs to get nutrition in and waste products out by diffusion.  I describe the situation as a sponge sitting in a puddle.  You can stare at it all day long and it’s not going to do any tricks.  It’s not until you start stepping on and off of the sponge that you get fluid exchange into the sponge.

This is exactly why exercise is so good for your joints–it keeps the fluid pumping so the chondrocytes have new nutrients to work with.  So long as you give your joints good nutrition and combine it with exercise the cartilage in your joints can turn over, although this is a very slow process.  On the flip side, give your joints poor nutrition and clog up the arteries that deliver blood flow near the cartilage and it can and will break down faster.

With this understanding of how you can damage your joints, can you think of what other chronic diseases may develop with poor nutrition and a sedentary lifestyle?  While the list is quite long, heart disease is way up at the top.  Which brings us to this particular study.

In it, researchers looked at the relationship between osteoarthritis of the hand (which included arthritis in more than a single joint in the hand) and heart disease.  Specifically, they looked at 1348 patients with an average age of 62 and asked about painful and stiff joints of the hand backed up by osteoarthritis on X-ray as well arthritis of the hand but with no pain.  These patients were then evaluated for their risk of dying as well as vascular events (coronary heart disease, congestive heart failure and/or ischemic stroke).  Here’s what they found:

  • There was no link between death and arthritis of the hand.
  • There was no link between arthritis on X-ray (without pain) and heart disease.
  • However, in those who had painful arthritis had a 226% higher risk of having heart disease (as measured by a heart attack or coronary insufficiency syndrome).

These numbers are not anything to downplay.  Why there was an association only with painful arthritis of the hand may have to do with the amount of inflammation present, but for now the researchers were not able to pinpoint the reason.

It is far more likely that the lifestyle that leads to heart disease is also a lifestyle that will destroy the cartilage of your joints than the reverse.  Because of this, if you are worried about developing arthritis in your future, rather than focusing on your joints, you should start with protecting your heart.

 

Lower Back Pain Relief with Stretching – Timing is Everything

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In seems inherent that treatments for lower back pain relief would include stretching.  In general, flexibility is a good thing and that’s why activities like yoga are bad for a chiropractic business.

One of the more common questions I get as a chiropractor is what stretches or what exercises should be done for chronic lower back pain.  My easy answer is to strongly recommend that the patient get themselves into a yoga program and give it a try for several weeks.

To understand the benefits of yoga, you need to understand that the “30-second” warm-up stretch that we have all been taught from gym class in elementary school on is merely an attempt to avoid injury and does nothing to improve flexibility in the long run.  And flexibility is so darn important.  I’d have to say that almost all of the patients that I see in my office for treatment of chronic lower back pain have very poor flexibility.  For lack of something more specific, the lumbar region in these patients is locked up and can’t move the way it needs to.
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