Proper spinal alignment eases back pain

If you've been to a certain kind of chiropractor recently, you've perhaps seen patients entering and leaving carrying a small bag of foam blocks. These are used to perform Pettibon fulcrum exercises. Though not right for everyone, Pettibon fulcrum exercises, when performed consistently under the guidance of a skilled practitioner, can help relieve back pain and improve your overall spinal health.

History

Pettibon fulcrum exercises are part of "The Pettibon System," a method of chiropractic care developed by Dr. Burl R. Pettibon in 1981. According to the Pettibon Institute, Pettibon is a Doctor of Chiropractic, a faculty member at the Palmer Institute of Chiropractic and a fellow of the American Board of Chiropractic Specialists. Today, thousands of chiropractors across the United States and in other countries use the Pettibon system.

Features

Pettibon fulcrum exercises use two or more foam blocks. To do the exercises, you place a curved piece of foam under your lower back and a triangular piece of foam with a cutout under your neck. You then follow instructions that come with the foam blocks, looking up and to both sides, holding the poses for 10 to 15 seconds each. Beginning exercises use small pieces of foam, under which you place flat blocks of foam as you advance. This system retrains your back to maintain a healthy, normal curve by gently stretching and conditioning your muscles and ligaments.

Benefits

Pettibon fulcrum exercises have certain advantages. Unlike traditional chiropractic care, which focuses solely on spinal manipulation, Pettibon exercises strengthen your neck, core and back muscles - helping your body maintain proper alignment on its own and reducing your need for frequent adjustments. This lowers the overall cost of chiropractic care. Also, I believe that patients who put work into recovery are more likely to care for themselves in other important ways, such as maintaining a proper diet and getting sufficient sleep.

Dr. Wayne Fichter, DC, is the head doctor at Disk and Spine Northwest and can be reached at (208) 215-3261.