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What is spinal neutral and why does that hep with back pain

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If you look at recent studies of proper back mechanics, or if you want to go farther back at world class powerlifters, you’ll see a lot of reference to keeping what is called “spinal neutral”.  Spinal neutral is that point in your spine’s range of motion that has your spine placed right in the middle, balanced perfectly over your pelvis.  It is here where you use your back muscles the least, as your spine is balancing itself over your tailbone perfectly, and is in its safest, least stressful position.

You can find your own spinal neutral very easily.  Place your thumbs on your back so that the tips of your thumbs are touching right in the middle of your back.  Now separate your thumbs until they are about 1 inch apart.  They don’t need to be exactly 1 inch, and I understand you won’t be able to tell anyway, so just wing it.  Your thumbs should be resting on the strong, strappy muscles that keep you upright.  Now lean forward and you’ll feel the muscles get very hard.  Once you feel the muscles tighten up, start bringing your body back upright until you feel the muscles get soft again.  The moment the muscles get soft, that’s spinal neutral.  Your body using gravity to basically “sit” on itself, using minimal muscular help to keep you upright.  That’s how your body is supposed to work.East Meadow ChiropractorGarden City ChiropractorMineola Chiropractor