Body Imbalance & Poor Posture
“Good posture is more than just a sign of confidence.”
It’s a pillar of optimal spinal health. When we maintain proper alignment, we ensure that our spine distributes stress and weight evenly across all the structures, from the neck at the base of our skulls to our lower backs. This balanced distribution not only prevents wear and tear on the spinal discs but also promotes optimal nerve function, reducing the risk of pain or discomfort.
Reprinted with permission from Daniel O. Clark, D.C. Copyright 2022 www.uppercervicalillustrations.com
Benefit 1: Addressing The Root Cause
Think of your head as a fist and your body as the pointing finger. If you put a tight rubber band around the base of the finger, it would change color because blood can’t flow properly. No matter what you try, unless you take off that rubber band, the blood flow problem stays.
Similarly, if there’s a problem with the atlas in your neck, it can cause problems anywhere in your body, like foot pain or even kidney issues. But the real problem is in the neck, not the foot or kidney. If this neck issue isn’t fixed, parts of your body can start to wear out. Often, we only realize there’s a problem when something starts to hurt, which can be very late in the process.
This neck misalignment can cause long-term damage to the spinal discs in your spine. When your body leans more to one side, it puts uneven weight on the discs. Over time, this can make them wear out quicker, leading to more problems later on.
Benefit 2: The Lasting Effects and Builds Foundation
A well-balanced posture ensures that the supporting muscles and ligaments of the spine work in harmony, minimizing strain and the potential for repetitive injuries. Over time, the maintaining of well-balanced posture can deter the onset of many common spinal issues, making it an indispensable habit for those seeking long-term back health.
If your head and neck are misaligned, it can mess with the nerve signals going to your brain. This problem is called “Atlas Subluxation.” The main area that gets affected is a part of your brain near the top of your neck (more specifically, the lower part of the brainstem, upper cervical spinal cord) that helps control how you stand and sit. Because of this, the muscles that help you keep your posture might pull more on one side than the other, making you imbalanced and tilted, like in this picture.
Think of it like a car that’s not lined up properly. Its tires will wear out quicker. Even if you keep changing the tires, the real problem is the car not being aligned right. It’s the same with some health problems like headaches or ADD. Medicines might help for a short term, but if your upper cervical misalignment is the root cause, you need to address that to really get better.