Have you ever noticed that the more confident, attractive, exuberant people seem to stand taller than the rest? A recent study done with a sample of French-Canadians found that introverts were more likely to have poor posture and a lower pain threshold (1).
The study, that was conducted this year (2012), found that there is a mind-body relationship: “the body shapes itself into different postures depending on the underlying mental and emotional state” (2). Thus there is a direct relationship between people who are extroverts and the upright kyphosis-lordosis posture. Equally it indicates that those people who are introverted have flat backs and sway backs. “Introverts appeared to have one of the largest reactions to psychosocial stress, demonstrating increases in normalized compression and lateral shear.” (3)
Charles Schultz was obviously on to something when he created the Peanuts cartoon: “When you’re depressed it makes a lot of difference to how you stand” – Charlie Brown. How does poor posture affect the rest of your body? Each segment of your spine has a centre of mass, and collectively they also have a centre of mass. There is an ideal posture whereby no body part is under unnecessary stress or strain. The moment a segment is out of alignment, the centre of mass of your body is displaced and compensatory actions are enabled to maintain your upright position. This means that your muscles and neurological system are put under undue stress and strain. Your neurological system of course is also in control of your state of mind and thus by displacing your ideal centre of mass you also displace your stable mind (4).
The Canadian study states that, “Complications with posture and back pain are projected to become a widespread medical and socio-economic issue across the globe, with more than 70% of the population predicted to be engrossed in the problem ”(1). So what can you do to have an ideal mind-body balance and save yourself from becoming a statistic? See your chiropractor!
“Chiropractic is the science of locating problems in the spine, the art of reducing their impact to the nervous system, and a philosophy of natural health care based on your inborn potential to be healthy” (4).
The Spine and Heath Chiropractors in North Sydney and Crows Nest are experts at diagnosing, analyzing and treating posture and spinal problems and pain.
Expert postural correction starts with an initial consultation with one of our chiropractors where they take a full history and analyze you as a whole. They will do a digital posture scan so you can see exactly how you stand and the effect that it is having on the rest of your body. If deemed necessary, the chiropractor may have an x-ray taken to have a closer look at the positioning of your spine and then discuss with you the best action plan for the correction of any issue you may have. If you require treatment we here at Spine and Health use the Advanced Biostuctural Correction (ABC™) technique, which aims at “unlocking” the areas of tension you have developed over the years.
Your body is a powerful instrument that has the power to correct itself should there be nothing stopping the communication pathways. This specialized technique will improve your posture, open the communication pathways, and enable your body to self-correct.
To look better, move better, and feel better come and visit us today.
Spine and Health:
North Sydney Ph 9955 8055
Crows Nest Ph 9460 8459
