Posture

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The proper structure or posture of your spine is vitally important in order to maintain its function. When the vertebrae of the spine are positioned correctly, the nerves are not irritated and can communicate properly, and there is minimal strain on the muscles, ligaments, bones, and joints. Further, internal organs are not compressed, and blood vessels are not pressed, thereby allowing them to freely carry nutrients, oxygen, and other essential components to the cells of your body.

Proper posture establishes a balance of your weight across the supporting structures of the body and minimizes strain on any one particular area. For example, when your head is tilted forward of its central balance point a mere two centimeters, it increases the strain on your shoulder and neck muscles tenfold. Increasing the stress and strain on your spine in this way can contribute significantly to a number of painful or limiting dysfunctions in your spine. These include arthritis and degenerative changes, disc injuries, nerve irritation and muscle and ligament injury.

Correct posture is the position in which minimal stress is applied to your joints. Painful conditions of the spine and extremities can originate in areas of high stress precipitated by faulty posture and resulting musculoskeletal imbalances. Examples of typical postural faults include forward head positioning, rounded shoulders, and loss of the normal curve in the lower back. Early warning signs of postural problems may include the inability to sit or stand for prolonged periods of time, stiffness when rising from a chair after sitting, or a feeling of physical exhaustion at the end of the day. Failure to correct these early warning signs often leads to muscle imbalances, loss of normal flexibility and discomfort which appears to have been brought on for no apparent reason.