What is Poor Posture?
Postural defects—often called 'poor posture' or 'bad posture'—occurs when the spine is in an unnatural position. This can happen whenever there are biomechanical imbalances in the body.
If there are any structural abnormalities, muscle problems, or joint problems, the body attempts to adapt and compensate to stabilize itself. This can cause a variety of discomforts and health problems.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Posture
Poor posture is often obvious. You may noticeably slouch, stoop, thrust your head forward, have rounded shoulders, bent knees while standing, or have a large curve in the lower back. these are visual signs of poor posture.
Some symptoms of poor posture you may experience include back pain, headaches, muscle weakness, and general aches and pains. In more serious cases, poor posture can disrupt digestion, cause breathing problems, or cause arthritis.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Poor Posture
The upper cervical spine consists of the top seven vertebrae, which begin at the base of the skull and run through the neck. The upper cervical spine carries the weight of the head, stabilizes the skull, is responsible for head/neck movement, and protects the central nervous system. These vertebrae can easily become misaligned from an injury, jolt to the head, or even from bad posture.
Poor posture becomes a vicious cycle. When the spine is misaligned, it may cause inflammation, swelling, or pinched nerves. Undue stress and strain on other joints, muscles, and ligaments may occur as the posture adjusts to compensate for the misalignment. This causes poor posture, which causes more problems and symptoms, which causes further misalignments of the spine.
How Our Poor Posture Treatment Works
When it comes to poor posture, we prefer to get to the root of the problem. Dr. Gordon Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern technique that focuses on the function and health of the upper cervical spine.
Dr. Elder begins treatment with a screening that involves a consultation, medical history, and examination to assess the problem. Our office utilizes the most advanced medical 3D diagnostic imaging tools so that the doctor can find precise problem areas and design a treatment plan specific to your anatomy and needs.
Our diagnostic tools allow the doctor to correct your upper cervical spine by applying precise, low-force pressure. In a series of follow-ups over the next few months, the doctor will check to ensure the realignment is holding and that the body's natural healing processes are in motion to help alleviate pain and correct problems caused by poor posture.
After treatment, Dr. Elder recommends regular checkups to ensure your upper cervical spine remains healthy and properly aligned.
If you are seeking a natural, drug-free, non-invasive treatment for health problems caused by poor posture, call our office for an appointment. We service clients in Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico.
Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.