JAMIESON EXPERTISE

Stand Tall

Nov 30, 2011     Posted by: Guest Expert

Have you ever seen an elderly person with extremely rounded and forward posture? Maybe you've even wondered if that's how you will end up looking later in life. Well, I do too, so as a practicing Chiropractor I spend a lot of time educating patients on bone health, posture, and the early prevention of osteoporosis.

That rounded forward posture often seen in seniors is called a Dowagers Hump. That’s the technical term for the upper part of the spine curving abnormally forward. Typically it appears in the golden years as a result of decreasing bone density – osteoporosis. With osteoporosis the vertebral bodies (the bones that make up your spinal column) become porous and weakened and begin to compress in shape. If the bone loss is great enough it can result in a compression fracture – a very painful and permanent condition of the spine.
 
Unfortunately, some adults are noticing this type of spinal curvature starting in their mid-years. This concerning trend is vastly due to poor posture. Computer use, poor ergonomics, genetic history and lack of strength in our “core” muscles all allow a premature forward curvature of the spine to occur. When the issue is not addressed early it can lead to a permanent shape change in the spinal posture. More importantly if bone density is not maintained it can lead to more severe consequences associated with osteoporosis.
 
Fortunately there are things you can do to begin prevention of abnormal posture, and prevent osteoporosis.
 

1. Correct Your Everyday Posture: One of the most common culprits is improper computer use at a desk station. Be sure to have your workstation properly evaluated for ergonomic correctness. For teens and young adults, be sure backpacks are not overloaded and computer games / texting is minimized when possible.
    
2. Exercise: Besides building bone density, physical activity keeps your muscles strong and assists in correcting forward posture.
    
3. Assess Your Genetics: If your loved ones before you have had Dowagers humps or altered spinal posture have your spine assessed by a Doctor of Chiropractic. Chiropractors have a vast knowledge of how to keep the spine strong and healthy.
    
4. Look At Your Loved Ones: If your child has posture that is abnormally rounded have them assessed by a Chiropractor.
    
5. Sleep on an Orthopedic Pillow: An orthopedic pillow can be “memory foam”, water or has one that has two curvatures. The action of these pillows is to create a support for your neck which keeps your head in line with your body therefore reducing forward posture.

 
Your Home Challenge:
 
Have someone look at you from the side. Do your ear and shoulder line up? Does your shoulder and hip line up? If not try this challenge – stand against a wall with your heels to the wall. Try pressing the back of your head against the wall and count to 10. Practicing this creates stronger postural muscles and takes the load off your spine.
 
Remember, prevention of osteoporosis is possible. By having a diet rich in nutrients, supplementing with calcium and vitamin D and keeping your spinal muscles strong through exercise you will stand tall for years to come.
 
Dr. Michelle Prince is owner of Lifetime Wellness Center in Windsor, Ontario. She has a multi-discipline office including Chiropractic, Naturopathic, Massage and Nutrition. It is their mission to reduce the rates of lifestyle preventable diseases. She is a 1994 graduate from the University of Windsor on 1994 and received her Doctor of Chiropractic in 1998 from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College.