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Decreased blood flow from abnormal posture
is a major factor in all disease, including cancer.
Reich W. The Discovery of the Orgone. New York; The Noonday Press, 197.

THE SEALY INSTITUTE HAS FOUND THAT POSTURE AFFECTS AND MODERATES EVERY PHYSICAL FUNCTION OF THE BODY: The Sealy Institute has made observations of the striking influence posture mechanics has on function and symptomatology that has led to their hypothesis that posture effects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, blood pressure, headaches, pulse, lung capacity and mood are only a small portion of the body’s functions that are most easily influenced by posture. The most significant influences of posture are upon respiration, oxygenation, and nerve function. Ultimately, it appears that homeostasis (balance) and autonomic regulation are intimately connected with posture. The corollary of these observations is that many symptoms, including pain, may be moderated or eliminated by improving posture.

J Lennon, BM, MM, C N Sealy, MD, R K Cady, MD, W Matta,PhD, R Cox, PhD, and W F Simpson, PhD, “Postural and Respiratory Modulation of Autonomic Function, Pain andHealth”. AJPM Vol. 4 No.1 January 1994 pp 36-39. BM, MM, C N Sealy, MD, R K Cady, MD, W Matta, PhD, R Cox, PhD, and W F Simpson, PhD, “Postural and Respiratory Modulation of Autonomic Function, Pain and Health”. AJPM Vol. 4 No.1 January 1994 pp 36-39.
Dr. Rene Cailliet, Director of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Southern California, reached the following conclusions regarding the mechanical derangement of both hard and soft tissues of the spine and the patients’ posture:

1. Lordotic curves of the cervical and lumbar spine are necessary for normal spinal function.
2. With a forward-extended head posture, normal lordosis is lost in both the cervical and lumbar spine, which in turn mechanically blocks optimal spinal function.
3. Head forward posture can add up to thirty (30) pounds of abnormal leverage on the spine; therefore, abnormal position of the head can pull the entire spine out of alignment.
4. Forward head posture results in loss of vital capacity. Lung capacity is depleted by as much as 30%. Shortness of breath can then lead to heart and blood vascular disease.
5. The entire gastrointestinal system is affected; particularly the large intestine. Loss of good bowel parastolic function and evacuation are a common sequel to forward head posture with loss of spinal curvatures.
6. Forward head posture with loss of cervical lordosis causes an increase in discomfort and pain. Motions of the first four cervical vertebrae are blocked. Normal movement of these vertebrae is a necessary stimulus for endorphin production by the brain and spinal cord. With inadequate endorphin production, many otherwise non-painful sensations are experienced as pain.
7. Forward head position alters head-spine posture and stance, as well as ones gait and body motions. One becomes hunched. The entire body becomes rigid and all body motions are lessened. The better the posture, the better one looks and feels.

Cailliet R, M.D., Gross L, Rejuvenation Strategy. New York, Doubleday Co. 1987.

Dr. Alf Alfred Breig, neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize recipient discovered that a loss of the cervical curve can stretch the spinal cord 5 to 7 cm and produce pathological tension, putting the body in a state of disease.

“Every inch of forward head posture can increase the weight of the head on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” (Kapandji, Physiology of Th e Joints, Vol. 3)

ADDITIONAL POSTURAL/SPINAL RESEARCH HAS CONCLUDED:

1. Posture affects all human functions, both consciously and unconsciously, from breathing to thinking.
2. Posture affects breathing and vital capacity, as well as influences vocal sounds. If sound is not optimally vocalized, the individual does not experience vocal expression.
3. Posture reflects mind and body interaction. Inefficient posture and resultant poor breathing eventually leads to pathologic dysfunction.
4. People with good posture ventilate and oxygenate their bodies optimally. These people sit and stand straight and tall. They invariably exude vitality and project a commanding vocal presence. That elusive attribute referred to as charisma appears to be a state of mind reflected in the visual and audible presence of individuals with properly adjusted posture.
5. Correct spinal position and correct posture allow physical activities that improve mental and physical health and feelings of well being. Feeling of mental and physical well being appears to encourage the person to further exude confidence that is reflected in their posture, stance and gait.

Corrective Care

One reason the health and well-being of the public suffers today is that most people do not truly understand what health really is. Therefore that which they believe cannot possibly be true, and that which they do for their health cannot completely work. Only through understanding what health really is can you actually create the right wellness philosophy and look for what really are the correct lifestyle approaches.

So What Is Health?

The basic, core definition of health is described as a state "normal function". So ultimately, if you wish to begin seeking health you must first find out what it is that causes you to function normally (or optimally).

Interest in biking, swimming, running, doing yoga, lifting weights, taking supplements, and eating the right diet for your body type has reached a historic high. The recent fitness and nutrition fascination has been perpetuated by the current realization that it is vital to play an active role in your health if you plan on keeping it or getting it back. All of these activities, and many more:

Enhance the overall well-being of your body
Help you to overcome and prevent illness
Give you energy
Improve your appearance
Can lengthen your life

Yet, none of these cause you to function. To find what really causes you to function to have to go to your anatomy and not to the gym or health food store. What "causes" us to function is the Central Nervous System or CNS. The CNS is composed of the brain, spinal cord, and spinal nerves and it totally controls all functions and healing in the human body. As the central generator of all life, it needs maximum protection. Thus, the CNS is located inside the armor-like bones of the spinal column and skull.

To have "normal function" - and as a result be considered healthy - the Central Nervous System must work without damage or interference. The most common, and in fact very likely way, to interfere or cause damage to the Central Nervous System is with the spine. "Abnormal" position of the head and spine and subluxation (misalignment of individual vertebrae) will interfere with the CNS. This interference will cause the organs of the body not to function or heal "normally". By definition, the result is abnormal or less than optimal health.

"Vital information travels from the brain and spinal cord to all of the parts of the body. But, not only does information travel down the nerve, but at the same time information from the peripheral parts of the body is being sent back to the brain and spinal cord. When this information is being interfered with, a problem arises in the body." - Daniel J. Murphy D.C.; Spinal Biomechanics, Harrison, 1992, pg. 366

Before any body part or any body function can be described as "normal" or "abnormal", healthy or unhealthy, we must first have a clear definition of what "normal" is. For example, if normal blood pressure is 120/80, then a person with blood pressure of 150/100 would have high, "abnormal" blood pressure. In only the last few years medical, anatomical, mathematical and engineering researchers have been able to clearly define "normal" spinal alignment. This research has been published in the worlds most prestigious medical journals and presented at the leading spinal symposiums around the world.

There are 2 proven ways to evaluate normal or abnormal spinal alignment:

Postural Examination (posture is the window to the spine)
X-rays

Normal Spinal Alignment As Seen With Posture

When looking at a person from the front, the spine must be straight. The head, shoulders, hips and feet should be lined up. When looking at a person from the side, the ears should be back over the shoulders and the shoulders should be back over the pelvis.

Abnormal Spinal Alignment As Seen With Posture

Your posture and spine are abnormal if:

Your head is visibly tilted, shifted or rotated in one direction.
Your head is jutted out in front of your chest and shoulders.
One hip is higher than the other, turned in one direction, or shifted to one side.
One shoulder is higher than the other, turned in one direction, or your whole body is turned in one direction.

In any case of abnormal posture, there is interference to damage being caused to your Central Nervous System.

Normal And Abnormal X-ray Findings

When looking at the front view X-ray, the spinal bones (vertebrae) must also be straight. The bones must not be rotated nor tilted and no curvatures (scoliosis) can be present.

The side view X-ray must reveal three 63-degree arcs. The most important arc is in the neck (cervical spine) and should range between 34 and 43 degrees between C1 and C7 (the first and last cervical vertebrae). This cervical arc is known as the "Arc of Life" because mental life impulses travel directly from the brain down this part of the spinal cord to bring life to the rest of the body. Losing your Arc of Life causes the most severe obstruction to the brain, spinal cord and nerves (Central Nervous System).

If your CNS is unhealthy, you cannot become truly healthy by exercising or eating right alone. You can be healthier, but you cannot be at "normal" or optimal. Any "abnormal" position of the spine, misalignment of the bones, or any changes in these curves indicate a serious problem. It is absolutely vital to understand this point - any changes from "normal" will interfere with and eventually damage the Central Nervous System. Interference and damage to the Central Nerve System will always result in "abnormal" function of the body, improper healing, and poor, abnormal, or less than optimal health.

"...Posture affects and moderates every physiological function from breathing to hormonal productions." - C. Norman Shealy, MD, Roger K. Cady, MD, et al; APJM, 1994, Vol. 4 p. 36

Corrective Chiropractic Care

If your spine and Central Nervous System are "abnormal", there is a need for corrective chiropractic care. This type of care will restore "normal" spinal position and alignment. By properly restoring normal curves to the spine and aligning the vertebrae, it will eliminate CNS interference allowing your body to function and heal "normally". This gives you your optimum chance to be at 100 percent of your God-given potential.

Be cautious that a lot of chiropractors may say they are "corrective care", they are not. At Natural Health Solutions, you will actually see the change on your x-rays as they are measured specifically and compared to one another. Specific adjustments are given followed by specific spinal corrective rehab exercises using our Whole Body Vibration technology.

A healthy spine with the right lifestyle program gives you an unbeatable combination for normal, optimal health and your best possible future. It's simply the way that health is defined.

Dr. Brandon Mannie is a corrective care chiropractor, who utilizes both posture and X-ray analysis to evaluate a patient's spine and Central Nervous System. Spinal corrective care can be compared to orthodontic corrective care. Depending on the severity of the condition, it takes several months to several years to attain maximum correction and then a lifetime of maintenance if long-term normal function and optimal health is your goal. If you have any questions please contact us on this site. We would love to hear from you.