By Ross Keen. ND. DO. NZRK.
Are we that far from the chimp?
We're all told in school to stand up straight, and that seems like a good idea but then if you look at the evidence all around you, in just about everyone we see, we promptly forget it! The head forward, the rounded shoulders, the arched lower back, the splayed feet - it is almost as if we have not fully evolved into the fully upright position yet. And it gets worse as we get older! Yet it is perfectly possible to correct our posture and immensely beneficial to do so, as I shall explain.
TV is not entirely to blame.
In these days of computer and TV. absorption, the forward held chin is endemic and leads to numerous health problems apart from a sore or stiff neck. RSI and OUS problems of the arms always have some neck involvement.
As soon as the chin starts to protrude, the diaphragm contracts and this can lead to many imbalances.
For example: the diaphragm is the main pump for the lymphatic system, and if contracted, the lymph will not drain optimally, and some authorities say that a compromised lymphatic system is associated with many disease states. The heart is attached to the diaphragm, and so has to work harder. When contracted the diaphragm tends to pull the stomach organ upwards, which weakens the cardiac valve of the stomach which leads to acid regurgitation, heart burn etc, and probably has something to do with the fact that the biggest selling OTC pharmaceutical item is antacid. The other digestive organs suffer for lack of the massage that occurs through free abdominal movement, and obviously the breathing is compromised, with all that that implies.
One more thing - with the chin forward, blood flow into the brain is compromised, and this might have something to do with the fact that people get fuzzy and forgetful as they get older…
Potbellies aren't all that sexy
When the lower back has too much forward arch, the abdominal organs tend to slump forward and it has been found that people who have this condition are more likely to develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome and problems with normal bowel movements. The sex organs are more susceptible to dysfunction along with the urinary tract. Greater difficulties are experienced in pregnancy.
High heels might look good, but Oh My, what they do…
The feet are the foundations of the body, and if not used appropriately, will cause foot, ankle, knee, hip and low back problems. Most people tend to turn the feet out which also leads to fallen arches and bunions. Although it is widely accepted that there are reflex zones of the feet relating to specific parts of the body, I also believe that wrong use of the feet can actually create aberrant nerve impulses into those related zones.
Exercise is good, but not enough
So having given you a small sample of what can happen through bad posture, I can now tell you that by simply adopting right posture, many of these conditions can be helped. The use of core strengthening exercises, Yoga, and Chi Gung for example, are extremely useful and advisable, but unless you seriously take on the postural discipline as well, you will not derive the full benefits of these exercises.
But there is hope
If you are fully upright, gravity has less hooks to grab onto, and muscle testing immediately demonstrates that you will be stronger.
Every system of the body is dependent on right posture, so whatever naturopathic modality you use, it will work better with the discipline of taking on right posture.
It is well known that negative emotions are expressed in body posture, so you can actually change emotional states by changing your posture.
To Change…
THE HEAD
Imagine that you are being pulled by a string from the top of the back of your head. Bring you chin backwards as if you were trying to make a double chin. Hold it hard there for a few seconds then relax slightly without letting go of the position, so that you are still holding it, but without straining.
THE FEET
Walk or run with the feet pointing straight ahead. If your arches tend to drop inwards, slightly lift the ball of the big toe. It can be helpful to exaggerate this sometimes by turning the toes in as far as possible and curling them under, and walking on the outsides of your feet. Do this several times a day, (but probably not in public). If your feet are really in bad shape, you might need to wear orthopedics while adapting, but since they are basically foot crutches, I don't think they should be permanently used.
THE LOWER BACK
If you have an over-arched low back, practice the pelvic tilt. Drop the tail bone and lift the pubic bone by clenching the lower abdominal muscles. When sitting, allow an arch forward; either hold in there or use a cushion.
You will notice that you will forget to do these all the time.
It doesn't matter - you just come back to them again and again.
Over time you will definitely notice a difference in health and wellbeing.
If you have pain or dysfunction associated with posture, use these symptoms to remind you.
Put up the little sticky paper dots you get from book sellers to remind you.
Put them in places like your steering wheel, computer screen, your work place, your family's foreheads…
The first few weeks are the most difficult, both in terms of unaccustomed aches and getting tired of the whole thing, this is where yoga or bodywork can be helpful.
Right Posture is one of the most overlooked modalities associated with health care, yet it is simple and doesn't cost a bean.
You don't need to pull your shoulders back, or anything else apart from the three exercises above.
Do those and the rest of the body falls into line.
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