Posture and Adjustments

 

Poor posture negatively impacts the health and appearance of individuals –back and neck pain, poor circulation, shallow breathing, fatigue, muscle tension, headaches, premature aging of the spine and poor self-image.

Chiropractic adjustments, teamed with stretching and strengthening exercises, improves overall posture including a condition known as postural kyphosis.

Thoracic kyphosis is an increase in the normal thoracic curvature of the spine. Postural kyphosis most commonly presents due to a number of factors, such as:

Sitting with slouched posture, prolonged texting or typing, carrying heavy bags or backpacks, and watching television.  Breast development, leading to insecurity, can also contribute to this condition. In fact, low self-esteem and depression can lead to slumped shoulders and hanging one’s head, and worsen the pain involved in thoracic hyperkyphosis.

We humans are designed for all kinds of different activities and positions, and it’s a passion of mine to help people live better, move better, and feel better through chiropractic care and exercises and nutrition.

Chiropractic adjustments increase joint mobility and has been shown to improve muscle function, and improve movement and flexibility by decreasing hypertonicity or tightness in the muscles and alter the tone of the muscle.

In fact, a recent study found some very interesting results.

Thirty female participants between 20 and 39 years old were recruited for this study because most cases of postural kyphosis occur in females. The women were broken into three groups –Group 1 received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to restricted thoracic spine segments; Group 2 received chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to restricted thoracic spine segments as well as stretch and strengthening exercises; Group 3 received stretch and strengthening exercises only.

Group 1 received treatment once a week for 6 weeks. Groups 2 and 3 received three treatments a week for six weeks. Postural advice on how to sit and stand correctly was given to all three groups.

All three groups had a significant improvement in their posture, however Group 2’s treatment protocol, consisting of chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy to the thoracic spine in combination with stretch and strengthening exercises, yielded the best results. Group 2 decreased the postural kyphosis of curvature of the spine.

As mentioned above, the first signs of this condition can be seen early in the ‘tweenage’ years, especially among girls.  It won’t improve on its own, and the combination of adjustments and exercises was most effective. 

Giebler Chiropractic can help!  Call today!