Muscle Imbalance With Spine Injuries

As a result from any injury, muscle imbalances can occur to counteract the damage and try to compensate for the injured area. Spine injuries can have the same effect, as there are many muscles associated with the spine's stability.

Definition

• A muscle imbalance is simply when a muscle, or group of muscles, has to overcompensate and work harder due to other muscles not working hard enough. By working twice as hard to do the same task, one muscle can become bigger and stronger while another becomes smaller and weaker.

The Spine

• Your spine is made up of 33 vertebrae, along with invertebral discs, the sacrum and coccyx. There is a large and complex muscle group that helps support the spine, back and neck. With all these parts connected together, your spine can be more apt to an injury and suffer muscle imbalances in that injured area.

Spinal Cord Injuries

• Muscle imbalances due to a spinal cord injury are fairly common. If you suffer a spinal cord injury, it may be from a fracture or dislocation of a vertebra, according to the National Institute of Health. This may pinch the spinal cord, causing the nerves to not work properly.

Poor Posture

• Poor posture is a very common muscle imbalance with the spine. Neck injuries can cause your posture to become worse due to the stress put on the spine to try and hold up your head.

Treatment

• Rehabilitation is one treatment option for a muscle imbalance due to a spine injury. After an injury has healed, you should try to correct any muscle imbalance you may have to prevent a permanent problem.