What is Poor Posture?
Poor posture is the result of one or more biomechanical imbalances in the body. It is the body’s way of compensating for muscle weakness, muscle tightness, joint misalignment, or structural abnormalities.
The human body has an incredible ability to adapt to its surroundings. If your spine isn’t aligned properly, the muscles will tighten and shorten in an attempt to stabilize your body. In addition to exacerbating existing stressors on the spinal column, poor posture also leads to generalized muscle fatigue and soreness.
Signs and Symptoms of Poor Posture
Postural defects can usually be identified visually in the form of a slouched, stooped, or rounded neck and/or shoulders. Left untreated, poor posture can contribute to a range of additional health conditions, such as headaches, backaches, and lower back pain. In severe cases, poor posture can become a debilitating source of chronic pain, causing vertebrae compression, arthritis, and herniated discs.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Poor Posture
The upper cervical spine is the region of the spine that supports the base of the skull and stabilizes the neck. In order to properly support the head carriage and accommodate a full range of neck movement, the upper cervical spine is the most mobile segment of the spinal column. As a result, the upper cervical spine is the most prone to posture-related injuries.
During prolonged periods of poor posture (i.e. hunching at a desk or looking down at a smartphone, the upper cervical spine is subjected to significant stress. Over time, repetitive stress injuries along the neck and upper back can compound, worsening/causing vertebral misalignments, pinching nerve clusters, and straining muscle groups.
How Our Poor Posture Treatment Works
The first step in correcting poor posture is to identify the root cause of the problem. For many people, this will mean making some lifestyle changes (i.e. becoming more active and improving workplace ergonomics). However, long-term postural defects often require a more targeted intervention. At our office, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Bello, combines targeted chiropractic adjustments with corrective exercises to treat postural defects.
Once we have identified the upper cervical misalignment contributing to your postural issues, Dr. Bello will use specialized diagnostics, including digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans, to pinpoint the exact angle and location of the misaligned vertebra. Dr. Bello will then proceed with a series of gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment in the upper cervical spine. This will not only improve your posture, but will also help you to prevent further injuries by reducing the stress on the spinal discs, muscles, and joints of the neck and back.
If you’re looking for a natural treatment for poor posture, Dr. Bello provides an alternative and natural treatment that can help. He provides upper cervical chiropractic care to patients in Westwood, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Culver City, and the surrounding areas.