Posture increases disability 393%
“Posture affects and moderates every physiological function, from breathing to nervous system function, and despite the considerable evidence that posture affects physiology and function, the significant influence of posture on health is not addressed by most physicians.” –American Journal of Pain Management
Posture influences everything. Posture directly impacts health and influences every aspect of human performance. People with good posture simply experience better overall function.
Research from as recently as 2013 revealed the significance of bad posture. A group of people with the poorest posture showed a 393% higher rate of disability compared to a group of people with good posture. Those people that displayed the poorest posture suffered from nearly a 400% greater chance of losing the ability to perform one or more daily living activities.
Primary long term health goals always involve maintaining independence and a high quality of life. Surveys consistently report that the ability to live independently rates as one of the most important priorities of the aging population. Posture plays a significant role for both genders in determining quality of life as the body ages.
Posture serves as an exterior window to the spine. Chiropractors influence posture on a daily basis by addressing abnormal spinal health that produces poor posture. Chiropractors restore balance in the central nervous system. Every adjustment reduces stress in the communication system connecting the brain to the body. Regular adjustments reduce posture deviations and promote health restoration.
Posture problems play a much larger role in human health than through outward appearance. Mothers who demand that children sit up straight may simply take issue with slouching but technically provide instruction bearing incredible significance. People of all ages spend massive amounts of times sitting at work or home. Smartphones and computers used for leisure time further promote poor posture. Chiropractors insist on increased awareness and concern involving an issue powerful enough to increase the chance of disability by nearly 400%.
The American Journal of Pain Management plainly states that posture plays an immeasurable role in every aspect of optimal nervous system health. The AJPM further determines that medical professionals either do not address or do not fully understand just how large of a role proper posture plays in the function of the human body. Chiropractors not only educate society on the importance of postural health, but also directly influence posture deviations by improving spine and nervous system health. Implementing regular Chiropractic adjustments plays a vital role in improving quality of life while reducing the risk of becoming disabled. Better health begins with a better understanding of how to properly care for the spine and nervous system.
Research Review:
This blog post briefly discusses the significance of the May 2013 study published in the Journal of Gerontology called “Spinal Posture in the Sagittal Plane Is Associated with Future Dependence in Activities of Daily Living”.
This article reveals the significance of poor posture. Four groups were created and assessed, based on the significance of posture deviations. Group one possessed the best posture of the four groups, with group four comprising the worst. The main component evaluated amongst the groups was the ability to perform activities of daily living. The conclusion was remarkable. The findings were as follows:
This study gives a unique perspective proving a direct link between bad posture as an increased risk factor in developing a disability. (A disability is defined as being unable to perform one or more activities of daily living (ADL) because of illness or injury.)
- The authors non-invasively measured 4 spinal posture parameters (thoracic curve, lumbar curve, sacral-hip angle, and inclination) of 884 people (338 men and 466 women) from the ages 65-94 to determine if any postures were associated with the need for future assistance in ADL’s.
- Posture was determined using an inclination angle between the vertical and a line joining C7 to the sacrum, also known as forward head posture and thoracic hyper-kyphosis.
- The authors took the first group, representing the best posture, and measured them against every other group.
- The conclusion proved an increased risk in need for assistance with ADL’s as posture deteriorated:
- Group 1 versus Group 2: Group 2 had a 46% higher risk of need for ADL assistance
- Group 1 versus Group 3: Group 3 had a 290% higher risk of need for ADL assistance
- Group 1 versus Group 4: Group 4 had a 393% higher risk of need for ADL assistance
Close to a 400% increased risk in disability as posture deviation increased. The findings in the study are startling. Surveys consistently report that the ability to live independently on one’s own terms rates as one of the most important characteristics of the aging population. One of the key aspects of health to achieve and maintain with age is quality and independence. Posture plays a significant role, in both women and men, in determining quality of life through older ages.
Chiropractic adjustments influence posture by addressing the spine. Posture is the window to the spine. Abnormal spinal health produces poor posture. Every adjustment reduces stress from the brain to body communication system. As a result, posture deviations reduce and health is restored. Unfortunately, most medical physicians do not acknowledge nor address the importance or correction of posture. For that reason and many others, every child and adult deserves the right to have access to regular Chiropractic care over a lifetime if they so choose.
