Is Poor Posture Bad For My Health?
Almost everyone has heard at some point to stop slouching and sit or stand up with a strong posture. Most people may know they have bad posture, but don’t exactly know why it is bad for them, and may ask – is poor posture bad for my health? The answer is ‘absolutely’! A number of poor postures begin as we are developing in our youth and develop into different health problems as we turn into adults. Our posture is the window to the spine, and it shows us any weakened, vulnerable, or damaged areas of the spine. Health conditions and problems can arise from having postural shifts or distortions because it puts tension and stress on what our spine is protecting, the spinal cord. When there is stress on the spinal cord, many symptoms can arise like allergies, anxiety, asthma, fatigue, acid reflux, indigestion, constipation, diarrhea, fertility issues, neck pain, back pain, headaches, migraines, and many more. These all can be attributed to the nervous system not regulating the body as it should.
In fact, 8 out of 10 Americans will eventually develop back pain. By the time you are in pain, the nerves are inflamed, your body is already in a crisis, and the organs at the end of the nerves are being affected. Many times this is attributed to poor posture people have had their whole lives. However, the situation is not hopeless, because poor posture can be reversed. It will take the expert care of a skilled chiropractor and commitment on your part, but if you want to ensure a strong, healthy body for life without having to deal with back pain or other health problems, that’s what will be necessary.
How Poor Posture Can Affect You
First of all, your appearance will be affected. You will appear to be slouched over, leaning forward more than you should, or tilted to the side when looking straight on. In children, this can actually inhibit growth on one side of the growth plate which allows the other side to grow more rapidly into that poor posture. This sets up the child to have weakened structure and posture into adulthood, thus affecting he/she for the years to come. In adults with acquired poor posture, the rate at which degeneration occurs is greater in the weakened area leading to osteoarthritis, degenerative joint disease, and/or degenerative disc disease.
Secondly, and most importantly, your spinal cord is being protected by your spine. When there are postural shifts and deviations from normal, it puts stress on your spinal cord which impacts nervous system function. The nervous system is the most important system in the body and controls all other systems. Poor posture can cause issues with the organs of the head (eyes, nose, ears, throat), immune function, metabolism, heart, lungs, upper digestive system, lower digestive system, reproductive system, and muscular system.
That means you will end up being shorter than you should have been according to your genetic disposition. Any time you engage in persistent slumping or slouching, that will contribute to poor posture and you could develop any or all of these issues:
- increased susceptibility to injuries
- restriction of the joint movement
- breathing problems
- digestive issues
- reproductive issues
- allergies
- shoulder pain
- back pain
- neck pain
- less flexibility
Most people will generally lose some height as they grow older, simply because the discs between the vertebrae of your spine will become compressed. However, this situation can be worsened considerably by poor posture, and it will also contribute to your level of health, pain, and discomfort in the process. Just remember that it’s never too late to alter your posture, and to get it close to normal with the help of a skilled spinal correction chiropractor.
Benefits of Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic adjustments, specific postural exercise, and if need be spinal traction therapy can be performed on your spine, so as to resolve any issues which are the result of poor posture. After natural joint function has been restored, strengthening of the postural muscles, and the spinal curves are back to normal, it will once again be possible for the nervous system and body to work as it was intended to. This is where strong posture is achieved, and having a strong, healthy foundation for a lifetime begins. This is accomplished as a team by the patient and the doctor. This isn’t for someone looking for a quick fix, but someone who is committed to long-term change and more permanent results for a healthier, more fulfilling life.
A knowledgeable spinal correction chiropractor will point out to you exactly where your posture is weak and will evaluate further to find out how to best strengthen your posture for a stronger, healthier body.
If you or your family have noticed that your posture and health have declined, reach out to us at South Bellevue Chiropractic & Massage. We can help you restore your natural posture with non-invasive, all-natural treatment plans. Call us at (425) 614-0680 or schedule online.
