What is poor posture?
Most people understand poor posture as slumping forward with rounded shoulders, and in the majority of cases that is probably true. So good posture could be defined as the opposite of this.
Standing and the natural curves of the spine
Consider the normal four curves of the spine as seen from the side standing: the curve in the neck (cervical) and low back (lumbar) should gently sway forward creating a Lordosis, and the curves in the mid back (thoracic) and tail bone (sacrum and coccyx) should gently sway backwards to a Kyphosis. Each area of the spine curving in the opposite direction to create a vertical wave as seen from the side.
Gravity
Now consider the gravity line (RED LINE) still seen from the side standing, which roughly falls through the middle of the cervical spine and next passes through the anterior of the lumbar (L2) and down to the hips. Deviation from these natural curves, and from the gravity line for extended periods of time either forward, back, to the sides, or in combination can have a profound affect on posture and health.
Sitting increases pressure in the back and tension in the neck
Neuromuscular fatigue explained
Fatigue means lacking energy or strength, and may mean many things such as lethargy, malaise, tiredness, listlessness, muscular weakness and drowsiness. Poor posture can lead to inappropriate use and constant activation of prime mover muscles in the neck and shoulders, and gradual weakening and fatigue of the mid and low back muscles. Working or resting muscles use energy in the form of ATP, which has to be recycled and renewed at the rate that it is used (ATP)2. ATP is also used in inflammation as a neurotransmitter in the peripheral nervous system to send pain signals to the brain (Brandt, 2003)3. Over time the peripheral nerves may not keep transmitting pain signals, due to the lack of ATP available, and a chronic cycle of neuromuscular dysfunction can result in fatigue.
Chronic stress lowers immunity
Chronic stress has been demonstrated to lower immunity (Segerstrom & Miller, 2004)4.
Possible consequences:
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Shoulder and neck pain -
Low back pain
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Fatigue and tiredness
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Postural weakness
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The inappropriate and overuse of muscles causing stress on the nervous system.
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Lower immunity due to chronic stress.
Can anything be done?
Most definitely yes! One of most common reasons for patients consulting us are to have treatment and rehabilitation of the spine and posture.
Peak mental states are not possible with poor posture. Physiology is a key to motivation and outstanding performance.
Leom Woodal DC
Sherman’s Disease: the exception
Never the less, a person may have Sherman’s disease, a condition where the vertebrae in the middle of the back have slightly collapsed at the front, creating an excessive kyphosis (backward facing), which throws the head forward, sometimes shortening the back of the neck as a compensation. It is unlikely that dramatic changes in the spine will occur with any known treatment, but if poor posture as defined above exacerbates the Sherman’s, then improvements may be made. An X-ray or MRI will confirm a diagnosis.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS)
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) has relatively recently gained acceptance as a medical condition. If you think you have chronic fatigue syndrome, please speak to your GP. An exact cause does not seem to be known, though there may be an infection, perhaps candida albicans (yeast infection), a virus, a bacterial infection, or another pathogen. Candida is very difficult to eliminate and can lay dormant, and there is not enough proof to say that it does not cause CFS. Childhood stress may be another cause of CFS (Heim C, et al, 2006)5. Other conditions that may cause CFS symptoms, or actually have an unknown links, include malignancy, AIDS, liver disease, kidney disease, lyme disease, fibromyalgia, hep C and thyroid disease.
