Myofascial Treatment Center of Saint Louis


Chronic Lower Back and Neck Pain

Our lives are full of minor traumas, stresses, and other problems that add up to chronic back and neck pain.

Structurally speaking, the pelvis is considered to be the center of balance in our body. Just as the keystone at the center of an arch provides structural integrity, our sacrum and tailbone are instrumental in stabilizing our bodies. (Imagine drawing a line from one foot up the leg, across your pelvis and down the other leg to your opposite foot. Now, looking at that arch from the back, you'll notice that the sacrum is an upside down triangle: a keystone, right in the center of that arch). Childbirth, athletic injuries or a fall down the stairs can diminish this integrity and set up conditions for chronic pain and dysfunction.

Our western civilization has many of us hunched over computers all day or at desks in school and the work place. Maintaining these postures over prolonged periods puts significant stress on the neck (cervical spine) and shoulders. If ongoing, the tissues in the chest, shoulders and anterior neck shorten and hold us there. Even with best intentions to "sit up straight" the tensile forces in the front of our bodies will win. Besides local aggravation to our necks, our hips and back influence the health of our upper bodies as well. Structural changes in the pelvis or low back create tension patterns that work their way up the spine like a kinetic chain of events to the neck. The integrity and natural curve of the cervical spine become compromised with disc and joint problems ensuing.

Likewise, all the attachments (fascia, ligaments, tendons, muscles) to our pelvis, cervical and lumbar spine and sacrum are in place to maintain normal tension and integrity and provide motion. Inflammation, repetitive use, surgery, poor posture, trauma, stress and other life experiences can cause the fascia to build up restrictions entrapping nerves and other pain sensitive structures. The soft tissues become inflexible and increase pressure causing joint compression, pain and loss of natural motion. Even the discs between the vertebrae of the spine are at risk of losing their natural position when tension patterns from myofascial restrictions are placed on them.

Our hands-on treatments allow the natural order of the body to be restored. By reducing restrictions and allowing the return of the structural alignment, the patient experiences improved efficiency and range of motion, and a decrease in pain and other uncomfortable symptoms. Mobility and sleep improve. Daily tasks can be resumed. Our patients are educated in body mechanics, rescue positions or exercise if pain levels rise, and in home programs to maintain the positive changes they receive in treatment.