ERGONOMICS AND GOOD POSTURE, CRUCIAL TO GOOD HEALTH

"Stand up straight!  Have good posture!"  How many times have we heard that before?  Why is good posture and good ergonomics (the science of adapting the job and/or equipment and the human to each other for optimal safety and productivity) such important topics?  We all know that people who slouch throughout their lifetimes usually end up with slumping spines and mid back humps later in life.  Not only does it look bad, it feels bad, too! 

Muscles, bones, ligaments, and discs get moved out of their proper alignment, causing much higher incidences of degenerative arthritis, inflammation, irritation, immobility, and pain.  Spines that are continually put under improper postures are suffering from repetitive stresses or micro-traumas.  Those little traumas that seem so insignificant on a daily basis can add up to big problems later in life.  Not only does bad posture and improper ergonomics cause spinal degeneration and improper curvatures, it also causes multiple levels of nerve interference, called vertebral subluxations. 

When vertebrae are misaligned out of their proper positioning, the nerves and spinal cord can be impinged, causing pain, numbness, dysfunction, and dis-ease.  Many conditions can arise from this state, such as asthma, allergies, sinuses, headaches, neck and back pain, numbness, digestive problems, colic, ear infections, arm/leg pain or weakness, fatigue, and stress.
    
What does great posture look like?  Your head should be up, eyes level and looking straight ahead, shoulders back and relaxed, and stomach pulled in tightly.  Looking from the side, a straight line should be able to be drawn from the ears, side of the shoulders, and middle of the hips.  Sitting posture should look exactly the same, with the addition of hips being equal to or slightly higher than the bent knees.  The lower back should have proper cushions or support so that no slumping of the mid back or lower back occurs.
    
Proper ergonomics create an environment of ease and efficiency, minimal pain and discomfort, and optimal performance and safety for the person.  Whether it is an ideal computer and office set-up, work station or equipment lay out, good ergonomics is critical to your health.  Also, symmetry is key to attaining great health and function.  Whatever is done to one side must be done to the other side, or else imbalance will inevitably occur over time. If you have to bend or lean to one side, then give the other side as much time as possible.  If you slouch, lean back, or cross your legs, make sure to keep moving and changing sides, always returning to good posture.  Make sure you take stretch breaks if you are forced into bad positions, and whenever you can, do the mirror image of your improper work.  These little tips for balancing and minimizing the impact of bad posture and ergonomics will pay big dividends in the future.
   
Just remember that each time you change your posture or spinal alignment can cause soreness and pain, even if it's for the better!  It can take days to weeks for your body to get accustomed to any new exercise, posture, or spinal alignment.  Be patient in the beginning when you feel fatigued from trying to stay in the correct position.  Eventually your body will adapt to this new optimal state, and will reward you with greater energy and vitality!

On The Straight Path: My Pesonal Testimonial to the Effectiveness of Chiropractic Care

I first started chiropractic care when I was 15 years old, after suffering for 8 years with daily, acute low back pain, inflammatory arthritis in all my joints, frequent headaches and neck pain, and a compromised immune system which caused me to get a cold every month, and a constant, runny nose.  I also had a 17 degree scoliosis which caused my left leg to be functionally 2 inches shorter than the right.  This condition caused me to be unable to walk straight, and to constantly feel off balance.  However, soon after starting chiropractic care, I started feeling improvements in my pain level and frequency.  After several months of regular care, I realized that most of my symptoms were dramatically improving. 

Within 1 year of corrective chiropractic care, ALL the symptoms I had suffered with daily completely disappeared!  Therefore, at 15 years old, I decided to dedicate my life to helping others also get healthy and pain-free, naturally and safely, without the use of drugs or surgery.
    
I have stayed a regular chiropractic patient for most of my life.  Even now, I get my spine checked once a week, more if I need it.  Throughout the many years of falls, accidents, injuries, and repetitive stresses caused from my many athletic pursuits and caring for hundreds of patients each week, chiropractic adjustments have been essential in restoring and maintaining my health and activity level.  Because of chiropractic,  I have been able to run marathons, bike, extreme hike, weight lift, skydive, and rock climb for many years.  When I was 15 years old, I could not even walk up a slight hill without extreme pain.  I could not even dare to dream of the health and strength I enjoy today.
    
Not only have I witnessed miracles in my own life, I have been blessed to have facilitated miracles in countless patients over the years.  Whether it is an infant or child with chronic ear infections, colic, or asthma finally finding relief and correction; a breech baby turning before the planned C-section; acute disc patients canceling their surgeries because of tremendous pain relief; or sciatic and arthritic patients finding pain relief for the first time in many months or years, I have been blessed to be able to help suffering people of all ages, naturally and safely.
    
Chiropractic is not just my career or business.  It is my passion, way of life, and mission.  I believe I was born to be a chiropractor.  I suffered needlessly for too many years of my young life, and I do not want others to waste their precious days on this earth living less than optimal health and vitality.
    
Please do yourself a big favor and find a passionate, loving, and gifted chiropractor today.  Ask for referrals if you can.  If not, then have faith and find one close to you who shares the belief that chiropractic care is not just about pain relief, but about releasing the innate healing power in you, by removing nerve interference.

Breathe deeply, love deeply, stay positive, and embrace the present moment always!