Lancaster Chiropractic Doctor Offers Postural Correction Therapy

By Carmella Isenhour


There may be a direct correlation between an individuals posture and structural abnormalities. For example, the way a person holds his head while sitting, standing or walking can result in misalignments of the vertebrae in the lower neck and upper back. Lancaster Chiropractic professionals can explain what is called forward head posture and how it can result in back pain and headaches.

Consider the side view of a person with good posture. His ear is going to be aligned perfectly with the middle of his shoulder. Someone with poor posture will have the head in a forward position, which causes the vertebrae in the neck and upper back to be out of line. Undue pressure is exerted against nerves in that area causing the spine to be in an incorrect position.

It is these muscles, the suboccipitals, that prevent the chin from dropping to the level of the chest. When they are continuously contracted, pressure is exerted on the three suboccipital nerves. This pressure can result in headaches.

According to research, that forward head posture can add enough leverage on the cervical portion of the spine to force the entire spine out of the correct alignment. That can have a detrimental effect on breathing. It can also lead to the development of a hump in the upper back, between the shoulders.

Upper cervical chiropractic intervention is optimal for realigning the upper neck bones with the skull. This correction can gradually return the bones to their proper position. However, the chiropractor must first do an evaluation to rule out other causes.

Your first appointment will entail taking a medical history and answering questions such as when did you notice pain, and how intense is it. A hands-on physical exam of the area is required. In most cases an x-ray is necessary to confirm the findings.

Your professionally-designed care plan may begin with a series of adjustments to the cervical spine. An exercise plan may be used between appointments and on a daily basis. However, it is the postural training provided by your chiropractor that will determine how successfully the realignment can be attained and maintained.




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