Good Posture as a Part of Wellness
By Sara Butler
Your spine protects your spinal cord -- the conduit for your brain and central nervous system throughout your body. To say that's important is an understatement! When you practice poor posture, then it puts a lot of stress and strain on your spine, which then places stress on your central nervous system. The health of your spine has a direct impact on how your whole body functions and heals -- and ultimately how healthy your whole body is.
When you practice healthy posture, then your head is in perfect balance with your spine -- a spine where all the natural curves are naturally supported. When you slouch forward, it puts unnecessary stress and strain on the spine. Throw in a sedentary lifestyle with poor posture and you've got a double whammy of unhealthy behaviors that can impact the health of your spine and your wellness overall. Luckily, your posture can be corrected with the help of the chiropractors at The Joint Chiropractic. Here's how.
The Big Issues
There are two main postural issues that the chiropractors at The Joint treat often: Upper Crossed Syndrome and Lower Crossed Syndrome. Here's what they are and what they can do to impact your health and wellness.
Upper Crossed Syndrome
Upper Crossed Syndrome occurs when the muscles in the chest and neck become weak, placing excessive strain and stress on the body that leads to imbalances in the spine, often leading to degenerative spinal issues and pain.
You may have Upper Crossed Syndrome if you experience these symptoms:
- Rounded shoulders
- Forward head posture
- Tension in the neck at the base of the skull
The postural changes involved with this syndrome puts pressure on the blood vessels, reduce the ability of the lungs to take in oxygen, and reduce healthy blood flow to the central nervous system.
Lower Crossed Syndrome
This syndrome occurs when the muscles in the mid- and lower back, along with the hip, are too tight and the muscles in the abdomen and buttocks are weak. This puts excessive stress and strain on the surrounding muscles, creating imbalances.
You may have Lower Crossed Syndrome if you experience:
- Muscle tension
- Muscle spasms or stiffness in the hips, legs, and lower back
See the Chiropractor
The chiropractors at The Joint can help you to address postural issues before they cause significant damage to your body.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Aurora, Colo.