The Link Between Posture and Spinal Health

You may assume that good posture comes naturally. However, it involves training your body to walk, stand, sit, and lie in proper positions. These should not strain the ligaments and muscles that support your back. 

Children have a graceful curve that allows effortless movements. But as they age, they acquire bad habits like slouching and inactivity. These cause tension and muscle fatigue, leading to poor posture. Afterward, they experience complications in their joints, shoulders, and back. 

What Is Posture?

It is the position you hold your body while sitting, standing, or lying down. Good posture keeps your joints and bones in alignment. In contrast, bad posture can cause complications to your spine. What is the link between posture and spinal health?

Arthritis

Poor posture can increase the wear and tear in your joint surfaces, resulting in complications like arthritis. Arthritis is the swelling or inflammation of joints. It causes pain, tenderness, and stiffness, resulting in reduced motion. However, medication and therapy can help. Please note that although you may receive medication, the condition may still impair you from some of your daily activities.

Back Pain

Prolonged hunching can cause your abdominal muscles, core, and back pain. It affects the muscles and ligaments holding your spine in alignment. You can develop weakness or stiffness that forces you to walk or perform activities in a hunched position. After—when you try to stand upright or walk—you strain, and it causes back pain. 

Stand upright after every few minutes to avoid back pain when performing activities that require a hunched position. Use your legs instead of your back when lifting. 

Throwing Out Your Back

It happens when you strain the muscles in your back while in a hunched position. You can be in the process of lifting heavy objects, causing it to happen when you stretch your back too far. Thus, avoid lifting heavy objects with the wrong posture. Use your legs instead of your back when lifting heavy loads. The technique is the golfer’s lift, and it is useful when performing repetitive lifting activities.

If the postural changes above do not relieve or improve your situation, visit a doctor. They will give you an accurate diagnosis and recommend effective treatment. It may involve medication, stretches, and exercises to improve your situation.

Muscle Length and Strength

Poor posture affects the phasic fibers as they demand more support than the deep supporting muscles. It triggers more muscle contraction than is necessary since the brain assumes that your body needs propping. The result is the weakening of the unused deep supporting muscles. They constrict and shorten in length, affecting the spinal vertebrae and worsening your posture.

Nervous System

Continually having poor posture affects your nervous system since it confuses the brain. It gives the brain an incomplete picture that your body needs propping because of gravity. It triggers further contractions that result in pain and fatigue.

You may also displace some vertebrae, causing them to lie on nerves. The condition is painful, and you will need help from a chiropractor. It can also cause constant general fatigue, affecting your daily activities.

For more information on spinal health, visit Frame Chiropractic & Acupuncture at our Toledo, Ohio, office. Call (419) 573-0077 to schedule an appointment today.