Hamstrings

The benefits of Chiropractic often extend far beyond what the general public might think are isolated to the back and the spine. Yes, Doctors of Chiropractic do provide much treatment and relief to this key area, but the ability of the profession to help definitely extends to the body as a whole.

Consider, for instance, the athlete or even the amateur sports enthusiast wishing to excel in a sport or even to enjoy it at a higher skill level. Many areas of the body can be subjected  to rigorous movements where injuries can result.

The hamstring muscle group of the upper leg is one part of the body that can be protected from injury and improved for performance. Stretching for runners and even swimmers has become pretty much the standard. However, the question was recently raised about them ability of Chiropractic to further enhance this region through sacroiliac adjustments. (The sacroiliac is the area where the lower spine vertebrae and the upper hip bone join.)

Fifteen volunteers were selected who could benefit from greater mobility in this area. Each was subjected to tests to determine flexibility. A passive straight leg raise test (SLR) was the main tool administered to each. (The SLR is done with the person lying on their back, then raising one leg vertically as far off the ground as possible toward 90 degrees.) Only persons with a 70 degree rise or less were accepted.

The group was randomly divided, some received instructions to do stretching. The remainder of the group did the same stretching exercises but also received Chiropractic adjustments to both sides of the lower back (sacroiliac) region. This lasted just three weeks with stretching or stretching and adjustments done twice each day. The final SLR test was done one week after the study concluded.

Although both groups improved, the positive gain in movement shown by the stretching and adjustment group was most significant. The average gain for this group was an additional 11 degrees more movement in the left leg and 9 degrees more movement in the right leg than those doing stretching alone.

In reporting their results, researchers noted that more investigation and study into this area is certainly needed. Still, persons who experience hamstring area issues as a result of exercise would be very well advised to consult a chiropractor to see if the addition of treatment to the lower back region could ease any discomfort and enhance their performance.

Source: http://www.chiropracticresearchreview.com/crr/article.php?id=1428