Posture – It’s Time to Get in Line

Have you ever thought about the fact that gravity is constantly pulling on your body?  It better be, or you’d fly off the Earth!  So how does your body deal with the constant pressure from this invisible force?  The body’s natural structure is such that it allows you to function without irritation or imbalance.  This structure is what allows us to walk, run, stand, and sit with less stress.  Your body’s structure is evident in your posture.  Through your spine’s development, through birth and onward, it develops a shape that will lend stability your body needs to resist the force of gravity.

As we are in a fetal position for about nine months before we’re born, our spine initially has just one curve.  Then, as we begin to hold our head up, our neck forms a forward curve.  As we move on to the next stage of development and begin to crawl, our belly drops down, and a forward curve forms in our lower back.  This entire process lends itself to the creation of a strong structure for us to be able to stand, walk and run.  A side view of a person’s posture reveals this structure, as the ears line up directly above the shoulders, and the shoulders line up above the hips.  From the front, correct posture means the ears are level with each other, as are the shoulders and the hips or pelvis.

As we continue through life, gravity isn’t the only stress on our bodies.  A number of other stresses, from physical, to mental, to chemical and social stresses, take their toll on our bodies and our spines.  The stresses we experience can cause the bones of our spines to move out of place, and the muscles surrounding the spine to tighten or even spasm.  This movement can then cause our posture to be pulled out of its natural position.  The result of this change in posture is often manifested as the nerves of the spine become irritated, which can lead to a reduced state of function and overall health.

Because every function of the body starts as a nerve signal in the brain and travels down the spinal cord, if the spine is pulled out of its natural, neutral position, the body’s entire communication system becomes disrupted, leading to impaired bodily functions.

So you can see how important proper posture is to your overall health – not just your back.  For this reason, practicing proper posture throughout your day, from using a chair with the right amount of support to using correct form when lifting or exercising, is critical.  Even while you’re sleeping your posture is affected, so a supportive mattress and proper pillow are also important.

If, as often happens, even when we’ve taken every precaution, your spine does move out of its neutral position, the joints of the spine cannot correct themselves.  That’s where a trained chiropractor comes in.  We are able to detect and correct spinal misalignment, which restores normal nerve flow and improves overall body function.

So if you have the feeling your posture isn’t as it should be, or if you have symptoms indicating that any bodily function is not operating optimally, it’s time to give us a call.  Get a hold of our office today, and we’ll get you in to evaluate your posture and make the necessary corrections to get you on the road to feeling great again!

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