HEALTH & MEDICINE :: AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2007

Sit Up Straight & Don’t Slouch: The Importance of Posture on Health

By: Dr. Julia Golod & Dr. Deana Burd

Have you ever looked back at old pictures and noticed that your head kept leaning to one side? Or have you recently noticed that you are starting to slump over like the hunchback of Notre Dame? Okay… maybe you are not that bad yet but your body is trying to tell you something about what is going on inside. No, it’s not genetics but is a deviation in your posture and the alignment of your backbone (spinal column). So you may be asking yourself what causes this deviation in posture. Accidents and injuries loosen the supportive ligaments that hold your spinal bones in place. These lax ligaments allow for fixation of the head to one side. When the head cannot move in a natural way, then the rest of the spinal column must compensate for this tilt of the head. Compensation includes shifting of your shoulders and hips leading to unequal leg lengths. Most people are told that this short-leg phenomena is normal but it really isn’t. It is a sign that there is a problem brewing inside of you. This misalignment of the body causes undue pressure on the muscles, nerves and other internal structures like organs and causes the body to breakdown. The breakdown of the body causes miscommunication between the brain (which controls all parts of the body) and all its parts. Depending on the area and extent of the miscommunication, symptoms like pain can result.

So you are still asking yourself is posture really that important? Posture is the outward appearance of what is happening inside the body. In addition to helping us look better, good posture enables the body to function more efficiently, develop properly and feel better, now and on into our senior years. In a recent article in the medical journal, Spine, medical doctors found that even mildly forward head position is somewhat detrimental with the severity of symptoms increasing in a linear fashion with progressive imbalance. They also found changes in the spinal curve are very poorly tolerated in the low back. In other words, increasingly poor posture will have a detrimental effect on our health if it isn’t addressed by proper treatment.

Posture affects many things we do and how we act. Studies have found that posture affects our golf swing, how fast we can bicycle, how far we can run or walk and can even affect our mood. Not maintaining good posture and adequate back support can add strain to muscles and put stress on the spine. Over time, the stress of poor posture can change the anatomical characteristics of the spine, leading to the possibility of constricted blood vessels and nerves, as well as problems with muscles, discs and joints. All of these can be major contributors to back and neck pain, as well as headaches, fatigue, and possibly even concerns with major organs and breathing.

What is the proper treatment for poor posture? Poor posture can easily become second nature, causing or aggravating episodes of neck or back pain and damaging spinal structures. To help keep pain away, follow these simple things:

Get up and move. As muscles tire, slouching, slumping, and other poor postures become more likely; this in turn puts extra pressure on the neck and back. In order to maintain a relaxed yet supported posture, change positions frequently. One way is to take a break from sitting in an office chair every half hour for two minutes in order to stretch, stand, or walk.
Keep the body in alignment while sitting in an office chair and while standing. Sit up straight and align the ears, shoulders, and hips in one vertical line. Any single position, even a good one, will be tiring. Leaning forward with a straight back can alternate with sitting back, using the back support of the office chair to ease the work of back muscles. Also be aware of and avoid unbalanced postures such as crossing legs unevenly while sitting, leaning to one side, hunching the shoulders forward or tilting the head.
Use posture-friendly props and ergonomic office chairs when sitting. Footrests, lumbar back supports, or a small pillow can be used while sitting in an office chair and while driving. Positioning computer screens to your natural, resting eye position can also help to avoid leaning or straining the neck with the head tilted forward.
Use exercise to help prevent injury and promote good posture. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming, or bicycling will help the body stay aerobically conditioned, while specific strengthening exercises will help the muscles surrounding the back to stay strong.
Wear supportive footwear when standing. Avoid regularly wearing high-heeled shoes, which can affect the body’s center of gravity and change the alignment of the entire body, negatively affecting back support and posture.
Remember good posture and ergonomics when in motion. Walking, lifting heavy materials, holding a telephone, and typing are all moving activities that require attention to ergonomics and posture. Back injuries are especially common while twisting and/or lifting and often occur because of awkward movement and control of the upper body weight alone.
Have your spine checked by a professional: If you tried all the above suggestions and you still feel sore and tight, have your spine evaluated for bony misalignment from a chiropractor. Your medical doctor will look for major deviations but only a chiropractor is trained to determine minor misalignments that cause irritation of the nerves. By relieving the pressure and fixing the posture deviation, you can continue to live a healthy life.

Testimonials:

“I have had chiropractic care previously and am convinced of its efficacy and value. This gentle type of chiropractic care is very effective while not being invasive or painful. I highly recommend the doctors at Spinal Specialists of Delaware.” ~Leah, New Castle, DE

“The doctor listened to me and promised to help, and kept her promise. She is a very understanding and patient doctor. The improvements continue to amaze me. Spinal Specialists of Delaware have even addressed issues that were suppressed for 40 years. Relief has been provided!” ~Margie from Kemblesville, PA

For more information about the services rendered at Spinal Specialists of Delaware or to find out if your particular problem can be helped, contact Drs. Burd & Golod at 302-731-0869.

Dr. Julia Golod is a 2001 Cum Laude graduate of Life University in Marietta, GA. She is a member of the American Chiropractic Association and the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce. She has written chiropractic related articles for Bridges and Choices Magazine. She is certified in Trigger Point Therapy, Acute Low Back Case Management, and Soft Tissue Orthopedics. Dr. Golod graduated from the University of Delaware in 1996 with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience.

Dr. Deana Burd is also a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Life University. She has been practicing in the state of Delaware since 2000. She is a published author in the fields of Chiropractic and Behavioral Economics. She is heavily involved with the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Chapter of Delaware. She is the two time recipient of the Chiropractic Research Assistant of the Year from her University. Dr. Burd specializes in a unique form of chiropractic called NUCCA, which utilizes the upper bone of the neck as a lever to correct the alignment of the entire spine. This gentle but highly specific technique has helped many patients. She is a 1993 graduate from Immaculata University with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Psychology.