Spine and Health

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What can poor posture do?

A landmark study has shown that spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse rate and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture. [1]

Posture 1 Posture 2

DID YOU KNOW?

The degree of forward head posture directly correlates with headache duration, headache frequency and presence of trigger points in the muscles at the base of your skull. So every inch that your head comes back will be less headaches. That’s a weight off my mind!! (Pun completely intended)[2]

heachache

HOW DOES POOR POSTURE EFFECT SO MUCH IN YOUR BODY?

Poor posture effects the nerve endings in the muscles of your neck which fire up and can stimulate the part of your nervous system that controls the heart and lungs. Not to mention that poor posture can dramatically reduce your lung capacity! [3]

Before Ben After Ben

Our Posture Experts at Spine and Health in North Sydney or Crows Nest can fix your posture so you experience less pain, improved health, better breathing and increased energy.  When your spine is in proper alignment, your entire body can benefit from better overall health and allow you to be the best you can be!

Contact our Chiropractors at Spine and Health, they are the experts in pain and posture. The chiro’s will conduct a thorough examination including a digital postural analysis and create an individual plan of action for you should they feel chiropractic care can help you and your posture.

 

References

[1] Postural and Respiratory Modulation of Autonomic Function, Pain, and Health. Lennon J, Shealy C, Cady R, Matta W, Cox R, Simpson W. AJPM (American Journal of Pain Management) 1994; 4:36-39.

[2] Trigger points in the suboccipital muscles and forward head posture in tension-type headache. Headache. 2006 Mar; 46 (3): 454-60. Fernandez-de-las-Penas C, Alonso-Blanco C, Cuadrado ML, Gerwin RD, ParejaJA.Department of Physical Therapy, University Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain

[3] The Neurochemically Diverse Intermedius Nucleus of the Medulla as a Source of Excitatory and Inhibitory Synaptic Input to the Nucleus TractusSolitarii.  Ian J. Edwards, Mark L. Dallas, Sarah L. Poole, Carol J. Milligan, YuchioYanagawa, GáborSzabó, FerencErdélyi, Susan A. Deuchars, and Jim Deuchars. The Journal of Neuroscience, August 1, 2007, 27 (31): 8324-8333.

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Straighten Up to Boost your Energy

Within the body, there are certain muscles that work continuously to keep our bodies erect and upright. These are known as postural muscles. If we have bad posture, these muscles have to work harder and can eventually become tired and achy. This often leads to low energy levels and feelings of fatigue or exhaustion.

However, with good posture and proper alignment, these muscles are able to work together effectively to keep our entire body functioning properly. Without the added strain of misalignment and imbalance, our bodies can benefit from more energy and less fatigue.

Bad Posture Leads to Fatigue

Proper posture affects our physical bodies as well as our mental and emotional well-being. When we practice good posture while sitting and standing, the pressure that is placed on the spine, muscles and ligaments is distributed evenly. This results in reduced physical stress throughout the entire body which enables us to reserve our energy for other activities.

The human body is very complex and is designed to accomplish many intricate tasks. But, without proper posture, even some of the simplest movements can become difficult. This causes us to use up more energy, and we quickly become tired and fatigued.

Benefits of Proper Posture

Many people lack proper posture simply because they do not realize how vital it is for overall health. In fact, some people believe that proper posture looks unnatural or even strange. This may be the reason many people tend to slouch when sitting, or walk with hunched shoulders while holding their head in a downward position. These bad posture habits cause stress and strain on muscles and bones and deplete us of the energy we need for everyday tasks.

The following are some of the benefits of proper posture that can aid in increased energy:

  • Reduces wear and tear of joints
  • Prevents back pain
  • Facilitates proper breathing
  • Reduces stress on muscles, bones and ligaments
  • Prevents tiredness and fatigue
  • Increases focus and concentration
  • Reduces inflammation

Proper Posture Facilitates Breathing

In order for us to have the energy we need each day, our bodies need oxygen. With proper posture, our lungs are able to inhale more air thus enabling our blood and brain to receive more oxygen. Bad posture, such as slumping and slouching, restricts the amount of air that our lungs are able to take in. This results in less oxygen reaching our brain and bloodstream, and less oxygen means less energy.

Our Posture Experts at Spine and Health in North Sydney or Crows Nest can fix your posture so you can experience better breathing and increased energy.  When your spine is in proper alignment, your entire body can benefit from better overall health. Your lungs are able to effectively provide your brain and bloodstream with the oxygen needed for increased energy and better overall health.

Contact our Chiropractors at Spine and Health. We can fix your posture so that you can experience reduced stress on muscles and tendons, reduced wear and tear on joints, and enjoy increased energy.  
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Sway or Flat Back causing you Pain?

We know it sounds quirky but sway back and flat back are legitimate structural abnormalities of the spine that are common in today’s society and is an underlying factor causing BACK PAIN!

The techy names are hyperlordosis (sway back) and hypolordosis (flat back), and that’s just it, it refers to the lordosis of your back!

Your spine has natural curves, primary (kyphosis) and secondary (lordosis). The primary curve involves your thoracic spine (upper back) and the bottom of your spine (sacrum and coccyx) and is your body’s initial curvature. The secondary curve is formed when your baby starts to hold his/her head up and then further when it stands up, involving the neck and lumbar spine (lower back), which is known as the lordosis.

A hyperlordosis (sway back) is where the normal lordosis of the spine is over-exaggerated thus the neck is more prominent and the buttocks protrude. In laymen’s terms, it means that your spine curves inward more than it should naturally. This alters the weight distribution putting a far greater load on the junction of your lumbar spine and sacrum causing lower back pain.

A hypolordosis (flat back) is quite literally the opposite. The curvature of the spine has a far less angle than required for ideal posture. The distribution of weight is also not ideal putting more pressure through the thoracolumbar region, which causes upper back pain.

So what causes hyperlordosis versus hypolordosis?

Many factors can affect the spine: chemical, emotional and physical factors. In today’s society many of us are chronically stressed and partake in the same remedial tasks in the same sitting position day in and day out. In hyper and hypolordosis cases the muscles are not working in balance.  Hyperlordosis is caused by/and causes the hip flexors and trunk extensors to tighten(psoas, erector spinae and quadratus lumborum); and the abdominal muscles and hip extensors to weaken (gluteus maximus and hamstrings). This imbalance allows for your pelvis to be pulled forward and down overextending the lower back and thus causing lower back pain.

In hyporlordosis the opposite happens: the hip flexors and trunk extensors are weak, whilst the abdominal muscles and hip extensors are strong, causing a flattening out the natural curves and thus upper back pain.

Are you suffering from upper or lower back pain? Have you ever considered that perhaps the curvatures in your spine are either under or over exaggerated? Your local chiropractors at Spine and Health are experts in pain and posture! They will examine your posture with a digital postural analysis and come up with an action plan tailored to you needs.

Poor posture is not a life sentence- chiropractic care can return your posture to its ideal position. To help you to look better, feel better and move better, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

You too can look forward to a pain free future.

Crows Nest                 Ph 9460 8459

North Sydney             Ph 9955 8055

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