Question
Dr. Starbuck, I'm an athletic 5'11 190 48 year old ex-college football guy. I have suffered off and on over the years with a lower back problem. I have been seeing a DC for some years and usually do get some relief. Lately though I have not. His last x-ray 3 years ago did show some degeneration in the L-5 area. I do strengthening and flexibility all the time as I know my tight hams & calves tend to make my trunk area quite static in my athletic moves. I golf allot and these problems have often limited my success. My DC has been doing Decompression Therapy along with adjustments and flexibility stretches. I work extensively on the Swiss ball and weight training to work on both the trunk and lower spine muscles. At this point I am very frustrated that I am not seeing any improvement. I have never had leg pain or weakness ever. Mostly my pain is back tightness,pain, and some occasional pinching in my upper left cheek. Also rarely, I'll feel a slight pinch in my gluts. My DC is now to the point that he may refer me to possibly an orthopaedic to schedule an MRI. Do you have any suggestions or different protocol that I may try.
I have done my part in the rehab process, but I'm near the point of trying some alternative. Can you offer any help.
Please? and thanks. Scott

Answer
Strengthening is not always the correct thing to do.  I have been seeing a lot of patients with the exact symptoms as yourself.  What I have found is that the psoas muscle is too tight, from posture, job, or other activities.  What you need to do is "lengthen" the muscle.  There is a activity called PIR (post isometric relaxation) that can be done for the any muscle in the body.  There is no way I can explain how to do the exercise in this format, I would have to demonstrate it for you.  Ask your chiropractor about doing some PIR on the psoas, not just stretches, stretching makes the muscle tighter and that is not what you want, you want more length.  If you have any more question, please feel free to email me.

Dr. Starbuck