It was National Chiropractic Care Week here recently in Australia and chiropractors across the Nation were discussing how poor posture has a direct effect on our health and well being.
Research shows that up to 90 per cent of people suffer from poor posture 1 with the top five posture sins comprising: slouching, forward pelvis, rotated hips, forward head position and rounded shoulders (commonly recognised as dowager’s hump).
Each of these postures puts extra pressure on the spine and can lead to a host of debilitating problems from tension and soreness to head ache, back pain and fatigue. More importantly poor posture also influences our nervous system significantly impacting how a person operates day to day, having an adverse effect on their well being, over all mood and ability to concentrate, study effectively or even work. 2
In fact having nerve dysfunction or vertebral subluxations is a bit like driving your car with the hand brake on. Our body is unable to function at its full capacity.
What is becoming increasingly evident is that poor posture affects our spine and nervous system and in turn ultimately influences our overall health.3 Chiropractic adjustments improve the function of the nervous sytem and in doing so the function of our body and our overall health.4
Subluxation —— Abnormal nervous system function —— Reduced Quality of Life
Adjustment —— Improved nervous system function —— Increased Quality of Life
Chiropractors have seen a growing trend in posture problems triggered by electronic gadgets with spinal issues linked to laptops, computer mouse use, portable telephones cradled under the chin and hours in front of the TV. Our bodies reflect what we do with them mostly.
A marked jump in problems triggered by handheld computer games and MP3 players and excessive mobile phone texting is also becoming a major concern, especially amongst children and teens. When young children have poor posture they may be at greater risk of poor neuromotor development.
To help Australians straighten up, the CAA has just launched a new interactive website: www.whatsyourposture.com.au. Getting online is a great first step for learning about our posture. This new website they ‘ve launched guides a viewer on how to do a self-assessment of their own individual posture, it has lots of tips and advice on improving posture and also has an interactive spine which outlines the effects of poor posture on body function.
Finding a recommended chiropractor is also a wise choice. Chiropractors are experts in the care of the spine and nervous system and help to identify any underlying root cause of postural problems. Addressing which lifestyle habits may have initiated and continue to perpetuate postural issues.
The good news is that for most people, posture problems can be corrected and sometimes even reversed. At the end of the day, a healthy spine and nervous system means a healthier life.
(2) Posturing for Wellness. Good Health Begins with Good Posture. (2001). Journal of the American Chiropractic Association. May 2001 (POSTURE & HEALTH)
(3) S. Goya Wannamethee, PhD;A. Gerald Shaper, FRCP;Lucy Lennon et al “Height Loss in Older Men, Associations With Total Mortality and INcidence of Cardiovascular Disease” Arch Intern Med. 2006;166:2546-2552.
(4)Association of Chiropractic Colleges – Position Paper No 1 JMPT 1996;19:634-7
