A new study from the Journals of Gerontology, January 2012 demonstrated a direct correlation between posture and future disability. The authors looked at over 800 people over the age of 65, and found that the only postural measurement that could determine future disability was an increase of the trunk angle of inclination. People with a larger trunk angle had great dependence in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL). This dependence was determined by increased admission to nursing homes or need of home assistance. ADLs are our basic self-care needs which include bathing, dressing and feeding oneself, to name a few.
Posture was measured with a spinal mouse, a computer-assisted advice. You can observe this visually by looking at your posture from the side. The further your head juts forward from your body, the greater your trunk angle and the greater your risk for being dependent on others as you age. Do you cringe when you look at your posture in pictures? What about the rest of your family?
For years chiropractors have correctly told their patients that a healthy spine is vital for overall health because the spine protects the spinal cord. The spine is also the key to good posture. Your head weights about 10 pounds and should be right above your spine. Once your head moves forward gravity takes over and pulls it further forward and down to the ground. A tug-of-war ensues between gravity and your back muscles. Gravity always wins and you end up in a head forward and upper back rolled (or hunched) posture and very tight back muscles. This cycle continues unless you become pro-active in fighting gravity and actively work to improve your posture. Reading this study should be motivating enough to be pro-active. (a link to the “press release” is at the bottom)
Just as you can straighten teeth with braces you can influence your posture, but you can’t put braces on your spine. There are a series of events that must happen in sequence to influence your posture. Your posture may never be perfect, but it is worth the effort. Modifying posture should include chiropractic manipulation to improve spinal function and free the holding elements including stuck joints (you have over 100 in your spine). It includes Active Release Techniques (ART) to release adhesions in muscles which have shortened and tightened. Stretches are important to influence muscle tone as is exercise to strengthening muscles that have weakened. Improving ergonomics sitting in front of the computer and looking at your smart phone are also essential. There are important (and easy) spinal tips to help reinforce proper posture, once you are ready for them. There are also tools available to assist you in the process including foam rollers and items like the Posture Tek Shirt from Perseus Athletics (http://www.perseusathletics.com/posturetek/shirt.html).
Growing up our parents told us to stand up straight. The problem is we didn’t know what that meant and you probably still don’t. Look at your children’s posture. Chances are their postures are already degrading with their laptops, IPads and smartphones habits. We teach our kids dental hygiene, why aren’t we teaching them spinal hygiene? It’s time we all learn what it means to stand up straight,
People are living longer, but is quality of life keeping up? From this study, we know the importance of posture as one of the “keys” for healthy aging. George Burns said when he turned 90, “if I knew I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself.” Hopefully, when you turn 90 you’ll say, “I knew I was going to live this long so I took great care of myself.”
The chiropractic physician’s at Performance Health Center are here to assist you in the functional part of your health which includes your posture and spine. I you have any questions, please contact me.
Yours in Health,
Brad Weiss, D.C.