Can Poor Posture Be Cauing My Neck Or Low Back Pain?

There is a saying that posture is the window to your spine.  I couldn't agree more.  When you are analyzing your posture you are analyzing both your skeletal and muscular balance.  There aren't  factors more crucial in preventing both low back and neck pain than to have skeletal and muscular balance. 

For the neck specifically, the most common deviation from correct posture is an anterior translation of the head or forward carrying of the head as shown in the figure below.   This puts a great amount of stress on the muscles of the base of the cervical spine where the neck and the shoulders meet. 

Other results of poor posture include:  spinal degeneration, disc thinning, scar tissue formation, nervous system dysfunction, reduced range of motion, headaches, early onset of arthritis, increased likelihood of injury, and muscular sprains and strains. 

Lastly, poor posture has an effect on the normal curves of the spine.  The curves of the spine serve as shock absorbers like shocks in a car.  When the curves are reduced or lost, the discs compress and rich lubricating fluid is unable to penetrate.  This causes premature aging in the form of dry, stiff joints making the discs more susceptible to herniations or bulging. 

The truth is that posture is one of the most important factors of health, yet one of the most ignored. 

The good news is that poor posture can be corrected if done properly.   Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!