Spinal Fitness

Located in the South Shore of Massachusetts, Back2Health: Total Fitness consists of several different - but interrelated - entities.

These are:

1) Back2Health: Spinal Fitness
2) Back2Health: Huntington Fitness (formerly Huntington Fitness Company)
3) Back2Health: At Home Fitness
4) Back2Health: Corporate Fitness

As we grow this company, I'll be providing brief descriptions of each - starting with Spinal Fitness.


Spinal: of, relating to, or situated near the spinal column. (American Heritage Dictionary, 2006)

Fitness: Good health or physical condition, especially as the result of exercise and proper nutrition. (American Heritage Dictionary, 2006)


At Back2Health, we accomplish spinal fitness through exercise on MedX machines. Through its patented restraints, MedX is literally the only equipment in the world to bypass the stronger assisting muscles of the hips and thighs (and torso, where applicable) and target only the muscles that support the spine. What this means to the user, is pain relief through direct exercise. Most lower back and neck problems are proportional to the strength of the area - increase strength, and pain decreases. Conversely, allow the muscles of the spine to deteriorate, and expect problems, including the possibility of chronic discomfort.












There are essentially 3 routes through which exercise affects the spinal area (frequently called the 'core').


Muscular:

Increasing the strength of the muscles that support the spine through direct targeting with MedX will increase functional ability beyond any other means. The MedX machines are so isolatory that very little exercise is necessary, i.e., once per week at the most.

The lower back muscles in particular are strange, in that they constantly endure 'some' strain. Every little movement the body makes calls these muscles into play - just think of how many times you adjust yourself in your seat while driving or working at the computer. It's clear that these muscles are overworked - but not with the type of strain necessary to alter the area's functional ability. That strain is only available with a demanding set on the MedX Lumbar Extension machine.

Discs:

Spinal discs are basically cushions between the vertebrae. Over time, these discs lose their integrity, and can become compressed - which can lead to moderate discomfort; or they can rupture - leading to herniated discs, and much greater pain. Exercise with the MedX equipment places the user into the fully extended position of lumbar spinal extension. This position increases disc space (similar to traction), and the dynamic effect of exercise hydrates the discs, allowing for fresh nutrients to enter the area and evacuating waste products.

Vertebrae:

Direct spinal exercise will increase bone density more effectively than all the milk in the world. It is known that the elderly can encounter spinal fractures, and in several studies by MedX/Nautilus, women ages 60-80 were able to increase density of the area by nearly 20% in only 2-3 months. If a rehabilitative approach is possible, so is a preventative one - meaning lower risk of bone density issues later in life.


Although split into the 3 separate levels as shown above, all are interrelated. An increase in the strength and conditioning of the spinal muscles can correct any deviations in posture, and hold proper positioning for extended periods until things 'normalize'. What we've noticed, which mirrors other MedX clinics, is that regardless of diagnosis, improvements can be had - and there are very few contraindications for their use.