Posture – why is it crucial for your health
Included: 5 easy ways to asses your loved ones?
“The extra pressure imposed on the neck from poor posture flattens the normal cervical (neck) curve resulting in abnormal strain on muscles, ligaments, fascia and bones.”
Their is a strong relationship between poor posture and chronic pain conditions including low back pain, neck related headaches, and stress related illnesses.
“Over time poor posture results in pain, muscle aches, tension and headache and can lead to long term complications such as osteoarthritis. Forward head carriage may promote accelerated aging of intervertebral joints resulting in degenerative joint disease.”
There is a strong association between increased forward head carriage and decreased respiratory muscle strength. “Forward head posture may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity”.
A decrease strength in the respiratory muscles results in an increased breathing rate (number of breaths per minute). This results in less oxygen taken in. Over time this results in a decreased chest expansion.
As a consequence of myolopothy (weakening of postural muscle) you will start to get a widening of your stance this will help your balance due to the weak muscles.
“The greatest concentration of receptors in human muscles and joints are found along the spine. The closer to the top of the spine, or head, the greater the density of receptors.” This is very important because the muscles of the upper neck are not designed for weight bearing. With forward head posture there is a tremendous extra load on those muscles. This is a great problem as the muscles of the upper neck are for providing information to the brain.
“90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine.”
“90% of the brains energy output is used in relating the physical body to gravity. Only 10% has to do with thinking, metabolism, and healing.”
Forward head posture reduces energy from thinking, metabolism, and immune function in order to deal with abnormal postural relationships.
WOW that is truly amazing and demonstrates the vital importance of having great posture so your spine can function property. It also shows the importance of being subluxation free because your subluxations rob you of essential nutrients to your brain because your spine can no longer MOVE properly.
The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that young people aged 8-18 spend in excess of 7 1/2 hours a day on some form of mobile media.
“Most attempts to correct posture are directed toward the spine, shoulders and pelvis. All are important, but, head position takes precedence over all others. The body follows the head. Therefore, the entire body is best aligned by first restoring proper functional alignment to the head”.
Here are a 5 easy ways to check yourself, family and friends if you have postural problems:
- When you stand in a normal position feel where your weight is in your feet. You should feel your weight through your heels.
- When standing normally your feet should not be further than 10 cm apart.
- Look at someone from the side, their ear should be above their shoulder.
- Stand behind them and their shoulders should be level.
- Your breathing rate should be less than 6 breaths a minute.
Please do these basic tests I have mentioned above on your family and friends and if you find any problems make an appointment today to get checked.
- Sperry, R. W. (1988) Roger Sperry’s brain research. Bulletin of The Theosophy
- Science Study Group 26(3-4), 27-28. Nerve Connections. Quart. Rev. Biol. 46, 198
- Spine 1986; Kapandji, Alf Breig. Mayo Clinic Letter Mar 2000
- Cailliet R, Gross L., Rejuvenation Strategy. New York, Doubleday and Co. 1987
- January, 2004 issue of the American journal of Pain Management
- Cephalgia (Feb, 2009)
