May
Posted by shawn ·
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Filed under Get Well
Tagged with Exercise, Health, Posture, Straight, The Specific, Wellness
Importance of Good Posture
Importance of Good Posture:
Even if they didn’t realize it at the time, all those years of our parents telling us to sit up straight and not slouch not only helped us look poised as we were growing up, but they also had a positive effect on our posture.
Posture refers to how the body is aligned and positioned in conjunction with the force of gravity acting upon it. Regardless of whether we are sitting, standing or lying down, there is always a gravitational force that applies pressure on our ligaments, joints and muscles.
In ideal conditions, the back view of the spine should have no lateral curve and the legs should be symmetrical. From the side, the spine should form an S-shaped curve. An imaginary line should drop from the apex of the head through the center of gravity in the body and pass through the tip of the shoulder, the center of the hip joint, the center of the ankle joint and slightly behind the knee joint. This proper posture is a sign that we’ve evenly distributed gravity’s force throughout our body so that no one part is fatigued or overstressed.
Indications of poor posture include a slouching of the shoulders or forward leaning of the head. Poor posture impedes lymphatic drainage in the neck and causes strain on the posterior neck muscles. The extra weight on the discs can lead to premature arthritis of the neck. Poor posture can also include a forward tilt of the pelvis. This causes weight to shift in the body and can increase the curvature of the spine, which is associated with muscle weakness. Posture of this sort can lead to chronic lower back pain, muscle pain, weakness in the legs and premature spinal arthritis of the joints and discs.
Poor posture can result from car accidents, sports injuries, loss of bone density and sitting or standing improperly. Many people today have posture problems due to the way they sit. When we drive or use a computer, we frequently have the tendency to lean the head and neck forward, which causes the spine to round forward too. The weight of the head and upper body becomes heavy, and we must exert muscular energy and strain on the spinal ligaments to hold ourselves in this leaning position.
The first step to correcting poor posture is being aware of what causes it and what we can do to correct it. We need to be conscious of how we sit when we drive or work at our desks. Take frequent breaks to do neck exercises and stretch shoulder muscles. Use ergonomic gear to create a work environment that puts less stress on the spine. Invest in a neck pillow for sleeping.
If we’re unsure of what steps we should take for our particular posture problems—or if we feel pain in the neck and shoulders—an upper cervical chiropractor may be able to help with the issue. Upper cervical chiropractors are trained in proper body alignment and can provide us with suggestions and solutions for maintaining healthy posture throughout our daily lives.
References:
Correcting Neck Posture: A Key To Pain Relief. NeckSolutions.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://www.necksolutions.com/neck-posture.html.
O’Hara, Dennis. Chiropractic and Posture. PosturePage.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://posturepage.com/chiropractic/index.html.
D’Ambrosio, Frank J. Posture is Important. SCOI.com. Retrieved October 27, 2009 from http://www.scoi.com/posture.htm.
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Jun
Posted by shawn ·
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Filed under Get Well , Wellness , Workshops
Tagged with Chiropractic, Posture
Correct Posture and the Workplace: Balancing Your Body at Work
Stay Fit While You Sit
Millions of people conduct business from a desk or in front of a computer every day. These “desk jockeys” remain stationary for long hours, taxing the equilibrium of critical muscle groups in the neck, spine, and back. Such personal commitments take a surprising toll on the upper cervical spine, and the posture workers assume has more of an impact on the entire body than one might think.
Three bones in the area between the upper spine and the skull are critical to the wellness of our nervous system. The back of the skull connects with the first two vertebrae of the spine, the atlas and axis, forming vital connections between the brain and the central nervous system. Unlike other vertebrae in the lower spine, these three bones are not supported by discs and bone structure that form a ladder of firm support to ensure a minimal, finite range of mobility.
Less protection or cushion means more mobility for freedom of movement, but also more potential for issues related to improper alignment and the consequences of incomplete physiological signals. The atlas, a single bone that weighs a mere two ounces, cradles the brain stem and the rest of the skull, which in adults usually weighs more than ten pounds.
In effect, this is the nerve center for virtually every bodily function. Subtle shifts caused by poor posture or undue pressure that builds between these bones “strangle” the brain stem and nerves, creating inflammation that can have dramatic effects on our overall health.
How does the upper cervical area, then, get out of balance, and how do we prevent this from happening? Under these conditions, the head and spine act like a pendulum in reverse, and the pressure of gravity created by holding our bodies in awkward positions for extended periods is enough to cause a degree of misalignment.
Any minor trauma experienced in the head and neck has the potential to misalign the atlas vertebra. Sports and fitness activities, car accidents, simple falls, strains, or bad postures are only a few examples. Pain, discomfort, and immobility may not be localized here, but the possible complications associated with this imbalance are many.
The effects of such diseases as Multiple Sclerosis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Fibromyalgia, and Autism, as well as chronic conditions like asthma, migraines, allergies, and lower back pain can be either directly related to or exacerbated by an imbalance in the upper cervical region of the spine.
How, then, can we change our habits and our working environment to stay in proper alignment? What is an “ergonomically correct” workstation? How can we reduce the probability of repetitive strain injuries in the upper body caused by using computer equipment and workspace? What things can we do to protect ourselves and remain productive employees?
These are the subjects of this month’s special workshop offered by the Specific Chiropractic Center, titled Stay Fit While You Sit, in honor of June’s designation as National Correct Posture Month. Reserve your seat today for this interactive discussion that will provide tips on developing good work habits and strategies to reduce the potential for needless injuries and complications in the office. Click here for dates and times!
