Back Stability: Integrating Science and Therapy

Back Stability: Integrating Science and Therapy, Second Edition, is designed to help practitioners recognize and manage back conditions using proven clinical approaches to stabilize the spine. More than just another sequence of back exercises, this text provides a theoretical foundation that will guide you in selecting the most effective exercises for each client and integrating them into a complete program to offer the best possible care in back health. A focus on evidence-based practice pervades Back Stability to address one of the most common maladies of modern living: back pain. This text combines research from around the world in the areas of anatomy, physiology, pathology, biomechanics, exercise physiology, and motor skill training with the practical knowledge of author Christopher Norris, a physiotherapist, exercise professional, and teacher for more than 30 years. With his expertise, you will gain the practical knowledge to help you recognize and assess inappropriate movement patterns—whether caused by injury or simple day-to-day activity—and use a process of clinical decision making to determine which exercises to use in developing effective back care programs. In addition to updated research, the second edition has undergone many changes that improve the book's layout and make it more user friendly: -The 33 new exercises as well as modified versions of previous exercises help refine and customize each program. -Detailed teaching elements throughout the book provide constructive and motivating ways to prescribe exercises to clients and patients. -Photographs clearly demonstrate each exercise technique and, where appropriate, are overlayed with arrows or lines to show proper body alignment. -A second color is integrated throughout the text, enhancing the visual flow. -Bullet points summarize and facilitate quick reference of exercise technique, and checklists aid in exercise prescription. -A larger format for the text allows for a more attractive presentation with bigger photos and easier recognition of important information. The second edition of Back Stability is organized into five parts that follow a logical progression from initial concepts to clinical applications. The text introduces the problems of back pain and instability and provides an explanation of spinal anatomy, movements, and the physics of lifting. A discussion follows of the basic skills required for developing stability. Assessments of posture and muscle balance are highlighted, and foundational movements for development of core stability are introduced. After covering the basics, the text moves into more practical applications by presenting progressive exercises and basic equipment used for developing greater stability. Information on abdominal training, resistance apparatus, speed and power, and practical functional progressions will help your patients or clients increase back stability and enhance performance. Finally, real-life patient examples illustrate how to structure a full back stability program. Back Stability: Integrating Science and Therapy, Second Edition, presents an alternative method for the treatment of back pain and provides each patient or client the opportunity to actively participate in recovery and maintenance. By integrating the science behind back pain into a useable format for understanding and application, Back Stability offers proven methods of care and assists your work with clients and patients to alleviate their pain, increase their back stability, and help them return to a fully functional lifestyle.

Table of Contents:
Part I. Conceptual Foundation Chapter 1. What Is Back Stability Scope of the Problem A New Look at the Etiology and Treatment of Back Pain Model Used in This Book: Lumbar Stabilization Summary Chapter 2. Biomechanics of the Lumbar Spine Anatomy of the Vertebral Column Axial Compression Movements of the Lumbar Spine and Pelvis The Mechanics of Bending and Lifting Lifting Methods Summary Chapter 3. Stabilization Mechanisms of the Lumbar Spine Posterior Ligamentous System Thoracolumbar Fascia Trunk Muscle Action Intra-Abdominal Pressure Mechanism Summary Chapter 4. Principles of Muscle Imbalance Basic Concepts Muscle Adaptation to Increased and Decreased Usage Training Specificity Changes in Muscle Length Summary Part II. Establishing Stability Chapter 5. Posture Optimal Postural Alignment Postural Stability and Body Sway Basic Postural Assessment Principles of Postural Correction Posture Types and How to Correct Them Summary Chapter 6. Muscle Balance Tests Assessing Stretched Muscles—Testing Inner-Range Holding Ability Assessing Shortened Muscles Principles of Muscle Stretching Stretching Target Muscles Assessing Segmental Control Summary Chapter 7. Foundation Movements Teaching Your Clients to Control Pelvic Tilt Teaching Your Clients to Identify and Assume the Neutral Position Teaching Your Clients to Use Abdominal Hollowing Teaching Your Clients to Contract the Multifidus Muscles at Will Summary Part III. Progressing Stability Training Chapter 8. Limb Loading Superimposed Limb Movements Summary Chapter 9. Unstable Base Theory of Proprioception Benefits of Training Summary Chapter 10. Gym Ball Gym Ball Exercises Summary Chapter 11. Foam Rollers Principles Summary Part IV. Building Back Fitness Chapter 12. Faults With Traditional Abdominal Training Sit-Up Straight-Leg Raise Potentially Dangerous Exercises Summary Chapter 13. Abdominal Training Using Stability Concepts Modifications of the Sit-Up Modifications of the Straight-Leg Raise (SLR) Ab Roller Exercises Testing Midsection Muscle Endurance Summary Chapter 14. Resistance Training for Core Strength Weight Training Summary Chapter 15. Speed and Power in Core Training Theory of Power Through Speed Training Summary Chapter 16. Functional Training Movement Analysis Movement Components Lifting Techniques Summary Part V. Clinical Application Chapter 17. Preliminary Client Assessment Assessing Pain Assessing Disability Summary Chapter 18. Designing the Program Needs Analysis Program Aims Training Plan Principles for Designing a Stability Program Summary Chapter 19. Case History Illustrations Overweight Client Athlete With Poor Stability Client With Acute Pain Patient Unwilling to Exercise Pregnant Client With Back Pain Summary

About the Author :
Christopher M. Norris, PhD, is a physiotherapist and director of Norris Associates, which operates two private clinics in northwestern England that specialize in exercise therapy for back rehabilitation. Norris is also a consultant to several Blue Chip industries in northwestern England providing on-site physiotherapy services, on-site holistic therapy, training in ergonomics, and training in manual handling. In addition to more than 30 years of clinical experience, Norris has served as a postgraduate lecturer in the United Kingdom and Europe and as an external examiner and visiting lecturer for several universities in the United Kingdom. He serves on the board of directors of the International Sports and Spine Society and on the international advisory board (IAB) for the Journal of Bodywork Movement Therapies. He is a former IAB member of Physical Therapy in Sport and Sport Exercise and Injury. Norris resides in Congleton in the Cheshire region of England. In his free time he enjoys coaching and practicing ju jitsu, running in the Cheshire countryside, and hill walking in the Peak National Park.