Wednesday, November 23, 2011

How Posture is affected by chiropractic


Chiropractic ~ chi·ro·prac·tic ~/ˌkīrəˈpraktik/


A system of complementary medicine based on the diagnosis and hands on treatment of misalignments of the joints, more commonly the joints of the spine. 



Optimal posture and body position requires a fully functional spine which is able to move freely in every functional direction. The body is able to maintain this potential when it is resting and spending the majority of the day in a neutral position. When the body is positioned neutrally it is able to function with the least amount of abnormal stress, thus giving us an optimally functioning experience.

In daily life our bodies are subject to many unnatural, and abnormal stresses; and body body positions. One of the most common is sitting in conventional chairs for abnormally long periods of time (conventional desk working posture).

Chiropractic as defined above is the diagnosis and treatment of small misalignments that occur constantly because of these abnormal stresses and postures we assume in daily life. When these misalignments are left alone small adhesions start to form as the bodies natural protection mechanism, to stabilize the body preventing more misalignment. Now the joint is less mobile which causes bass and waste products to build up in the joint unable to leave because of the lack of proper movement and hydration of the joint.

The chiropractic adjustment aids in releasing these adhesions, creating movement and allowing movement which pumps out waste and gas build up while bringing in nutrients. The release of gas is what creates the "crackle sound". Now the joint is on its way back to fully assume its natural range of motion.

As you can see the body will continue to react in the same way when experiencing  these abnormal positions. This is why chiropractic maintenance or hygiene is so important, it provides your body the ability to assume a natural neutral posture, unhindered by misalignments and adhesions that build up. Proper posture allows the body to move normally the way it was designed to move thus avoiding misalignments and adhesions in its joints.

The spine or the backbone and often regarded as the foundation of the body, what the rest of the body is built upon and relies upon for its communication (spinal cord) and function (it holds the vital organs). Chiropractic spinal hygiene and daily postural awareness go hand in hand with a healthy spine and body that will function optimally for any activity or adventure you want to experience.

Taking care of your body starts with the foundational spine and maintaining it is similar to brushing your teeth daily. Posture how ever is used in every movement and moment of life so it is important that you are educated on how to safely use your body.  Reminders to hold your body correctly through the day are your part in keeping your spine healthy and moveable. Visiting your chiropractor for spinal hygiene appointments once a season (four times a year) is especially important if you have a habit of forgetting to maintain daily proper posture.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Seated Posture -how it affects your back



Do you have an office job? Do you sit for longer than one hour at a time? Do you have occasional back pain or stiffness and wonder why this is happening?

Upon enervating the modern workforce many people find themselves answering yes to these questions. One topic deserves more attention is "seated office posture". In essence it's the position of your body while you are sitting, and most of the time sitting and working on a computer.

Many professionals may be unaware of how proper positioning of your spin while seated can affect your productivity, decrease postural pain, and actually increase your confidence and public perception.

Lumbar (lower-back) Seated Posture

Many people are not aware that their posture while seated puts their spine in an abnormally flexed position; while naturally the spine is built structurally to have a forward curvature in the low-back. When your body is not naturally positioned the postural muscles of your back become irritated and your abdominal muscles become habitually weakened.

The solution is looking to how the spine is structurally built in order to disperse the loads placed upon it from the body. The lumbar spine (low-back) is composed of 5 moveable bones balanced on a large bone called the sacrum. The natural curvature in the lumbar spine has a range of 50-60 degrees. This curvature follows the shapes of the bones and allows for optimal distribution of the forces of gravity. This curve is actually a neutral position for the spine and a starting point for any action or movement.

What people often forget is that sitting is not natural for a person to do 8 hours a day 5 days a week. This is why chairs have lumbar support in the backs of the chair. Using this support to help position your low-back with healthy curvature will enable your spine to maintain healthy natural positions while at work.

Reminding yourself to take hourly walk breaks and then mindfully position your body back in your chair with a neutral and natural lumbar curve, is a good habit to help your body learn healthy postural habits.