Was Mom really right? How good posture can mean healthy spines

I often hear patients say that they wish they had listened to their mom all those years ago. How many of you remember the words “stand tall with your shoulders back?” Well, there is some truth to that statement.

Posture is the window to the spine. Poor posture can indicate there is a problem with your spine and nervous system. One of the first indicators of poor posture is when you slouch or if the head is forward. This posture causes significant strain on the musculature of the neck. When these muscles get too tight, they weaken. This increases the work load on the discs and can lead to premature arthritis in the neck. There are many causes of this posture, including auto accidents, injuries, working on a computer, if you are on the phone for long periods of time without a head set, if you carry a heavy backpack, etc.

But, how do you know if you have any postural issues that could be contributing to your pain? Chiropractors are experts at analyzing posture and the spine. We look at problems that exist underneath poor posture and search for problems that contribute to the postural pattern we observe. In order to assist us in locating any postural abnormalities that might exist, Balance Chiropractic and Wellness has a NEW computerized program called POSTURE PRO. We take a digital picture of you from the front and side views. Posture Pro then analyzes any postural issues, such as forward head tilt, uneven shoulders or hips, etc., that might contribute to current conditions or put you at risk for future problems.

Please contact our office today at (540) 824-1005 for a free computerized postural evaluation to see if chiropractic can help any postural problems that might be contributing to your pain. What is your posture number? n

Tips to improve your posture:

1. Know the warning signs of back pain caused by poor ergonomics and posture.
2. Get up and move throughout the work day.
3. Keep the body in proper alignment while you stand or sit in an office chair.
4. Increase your awareness of posture in everyday settings, in particular when you are in motion.
5. Avoid carrying more than 15% of your body weight in a back pack or bag. Research shows that carrying above 15% of your body weight forces you to lean forward to counterbalance that weight. This puts your neck and low back in an abnormal position and at risk for injury.
6. Exercise in order to help prevent injury and promote good posture.
7. Wear proper footwear. It is important to know what type of footwear you require in order to properly support your spine.
8. Avoid overprotecting your posture. Relax your posture in order to prevent tight musculature and adopting unnatural or stiff posture.

Dr. Jennifer Walker