Posture

Your mother was correct. Your posture matters.

Even at a distance, your posture is the first thing others notice. Does yours say you’re confident, certain and self-assured? Or does it disclose that you’re fearful, or unsure or timid?

Your posture concerns us. Not because it can sabotage your next business deal, make your clothing fit poorly or stall your golf game. We’re interested because it profoundly affects your overall health.

We are constantly adapting to gravity. Those in outer space, who temporarily escape its influence, start wasting away. Their bones become frail and their muscles weaken. Their strength and vitality decline.

Here on earth, we use large amounts of energy adapting to gravity. Just standing erect requires the coordination (by your nervous stem) of 200 muscles. No wonder those with poor posture complain of being tired.

It all starts with the energy that flows over your nerves. Muscles only contract, moving bones, when commanded by your nervous system. Postural distortions are signs your nervous system is compromised.

Your eyes monitor the horizon, giving feedback to your brain (nervous system) to keep your upright. Fluid in your inner ear constantly supplies information (nervous system) about your balance and position. Pressure sensors on each foot (nervous system) sends data up the spine so you can stand without falling.

Bones are the structural components of your body. They can’t move, dislocate or become malpositioned without muscles pulling on them. Sometimes muscles will stay contracted when they shouldn’t. This is called a muscle spasm. Postural problems usually follow.

We help people enjoy the relief they seek by consulting our office. They also benefit from better balance, graceful movement and increased vitality. Since many postural distortions begin in childhood, it’s vitally important to have your children checked!

Our posture is a window into the condition of our nervous system. It reveals how we adapt to stress. Common examples include uncorrected physical stresses from birth process, childhood sports injuries, automobile accidents and event unresolved emotional pressures. As a result of these and other stresses, our bodies assume a defensive, protective posture.

During our examination we look for the head tilting to one side, forward head carriage, a lowered shoulder or a hip that has improperly rotated. We also look at the way you walk, unusual shoe wear or a leg that appears contracted. We encourage parents to have their children evaluated so these same issues don’t become engrained patterns early on.

Yes, arthritis (spinal decay) can result from abnormal, long-standing adaptations to gravity. The body deposits calcium on malfunctioning joint surfaces in an attempt to shore up or "splint" the joints. Bone spurs, and eventually fusions, can result.