Feeling Back Pain or Neck Pain? How Your Posture Puts Pressure on Your Spine
Here at Platinum, we address structural issues and clear the way for your nervous system to function properly so your body has the best chance at optimal health. Given how significantly your structure can either promote or impede your health, it makes sense that the position in which you spend most of your time is crucial to your health as well.
Did you know various postures and positions put more stress on your spine than others? Gravity is constantly putting pressure on our spine. Just think about how many hours per day you spend sitting or looking down at your device! Sitting and slouching are some of the most high pressure positions, and repetitive pressure over time will affect your spine.
When measuring the force of gravity on the spine in different positions, we can see how posture and position greatly affect our vertebral discs. There is the least pressure on your spine when you are laying down on your back as you are putting 25kg. See how the amount of pressure progresses in other positions:
- Standing puts 4 times the amount (100 kg) of pressure on your spine than lying down.
- Sitting puts 5.6 times the amount (140 kg) of pressure on your spine than lying down.
- Slouching while sitting puts 7.4 times the amount (185 kg) of pressure on your spine than lying down.
Furthermore, the positioning of your head and limbs also affects the amounts of pressure your spine must support. For example, see below:
So what can we do?
- Stay consistent with your chiropractic adjustments to keep your structure in check and prevent degeneration before it starts.
- Avoid sitting for long periods of time. If you do have to sit, take breaks. Simply standing up reaching to the sky and re-setting your posture every 30 min can make a huge impact on your spinal health.
- Switch to a stand up desk. Standing up through part of the work day greatly reduces the stress on your spine.
- Keep up with your daily spinal exercises, making sure you bring your spinal joints through their full range of motion each day.
How to Maintain a Neutral Posture:
Keep your neck straight above your shoulders, having your shoulders back and relaxed. This will distribute the weight of your head onto your spine more evenly.