Your posture provides an immediate picture of the health of your spine. If you have poor posture, your spine may be out of alignment. Noticeable positions like a high shoulder, a head tilt, forward head posture or rounded shoulders are all signs of postural distortion which have consequences you may not have considered.
“For every inch of Forward Head Posture, it can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” -Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol. 3 2008.
This forward head posture can add up to thirty pounds of abnormal leverage on the cervical spine. This can pull the entire spine out of alignment.
Dr. Roger Sperry, (Nobel Prize Recipient for Brain Research) demonstrated that 90% of the brain’s energy output is used in relating the physical body to gravity. Only 10% has to do with thinking, metabolism, and healing. (1)
Postural distortion wastes the body’s energy resources on gravity and leaves less energy for vital functions like thinking, metabolism and healing. Most of the people that have this condition have had it for a long time.
It can be caused by sleeping habits, injuries, sports or sitting at computers and televisions. The imbalances might even stem from the birth process itself. Poor posture due to misalignments of the spine can be a contributing factor to scoliosis if left uncorrected.
The effects of poor posture go far beyond slouching or presenting a sickly physical appearance to others. Posture impacts modulates all bodily functions from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the many conditions influenced by faulty posture.
In the January 2004 issue of the American Journal of Pain Management reported on the relationship of poor posture and chronic pain conditions including low back pain, neck related headaches and stress-related illnesses. “The extra pressure imposed on the neck from poor posture flattens the normal cervical curve resulting in abnormal strain on muscles, ligaments, fascia and bones.”(2)
Research presented at the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, (2009) stated; “Over time poor posture results in pain, muscle aches, tension and headache and can lead to long term complications such as osteoarthritis.” (3)
Rene Cailliet M.D., former Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Southern California states:
“Most attempts to correct posture are directed toward the spine, shoulders and pelvis. All are important, but, head position takes precedence over all others. The body follows the head. Therefore, the entire body is best aligned by first restoring proper functional alignment to the head”. (4)
Why Do We Need Body Balance and Good Posture?
Consider the front end of a car. If it is not properly aligned the tires will wear out long before they should, the engine will experience extra and unnecessary strain, and the owner will find that his vehicle is wasting a huge amount of gas.
A similar example is found in the designing of a building. Architects and contractors go to great lengths to make sure a building is plumb and that it has a level foundation. If not, a severe and unacceptable strain is placed on the structure which may eventually cause it to fall apart.
Although human beings are far more complicated in their make-up then cars and buildings, we also require balance. Our body balance can be disrupted by physical stresses just like cars and buildings. The core of the body’s structure is the spine. If that falls out of balance for any reason, the weight of the body is unequally distributed to certain parts causing those parts to wear out prematurely.
You may experience pain, tension, or dysfunction in the short term, but over time prolonged body imbalance can cause joint degeneration, fatigue, disc problems, nerve conditions or chronic pain.
With the NUCCA chiropractic correction, the spinal column remains straight and balanced where the weight of the head is centered over the neck. This creates body balance.
When the weight of the head is shifted off center due to an accident or injury, the body will compensate and move into an unbalanced position. In an effort to keep the head centered over the neck, the spine and pelvis will twist and lock into a stressed position (aka. Postural Distortion).
To solve this issue the NUCCA doctor applies a slight pre-determined pressure just below the ear at the atlas vertebrae (first neck vertebrae) which gently re-positions the head over the center of the neck. This NUCCA re-positioning is what restores body balance and removes brain stem compression.
NOTE: The NUCCA Correction is a gentle procedure that is barely felt by the patient. It requires NO FORCEFUL TWISTING, POPPING OR CRACKING that some people fear when considering chiropractic care.
If you or someone you know might benefit from NUCCA chiropractic care, call the office today at 425-437-9974, and Dr. Schallmann will be glad to discuss them personally.
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References 1. Sperry, R. W. (1988) Roger Sperry’s brain research. Bulletin of The Theosophy Science Study Group 26(3-4), 27-28. Nerve Connections. Quart. Rev. Biol. 46, 198. 2. American Journal of Pain Management, January 2008, 4:36-39 3. 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society) Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, September 2-6, 2009. 4. Cailliet R, Gross L, Rejuvenation Strategy. New York, Doubleday and Co. 1987“Reprinted with permission from Daniel O. Clark, D.C. Copyright 2014 www.uppercervicalillustrations.com“
