Prioritising Your Posture

Ever noticed how someone with poor posture doesn’t seem vibrant and full of life? That’s because posture is a direct reflection of how well the body is functioning.

As human beings, we are constantly adapting to one fundamental force, gravity. It is always acting upon us, and how well we adapt to it determines our overall health, vitality, and longevity. When our body is properly aligned and balanced, we move with ease, think more clearly, and radiate confidence. Studies have shown that an upright, open posture not only improves physical function but also enhances mental clarity, mood, and perception by others.

D.D. Palmer, the founder of chiropractic, famously stated, “Life is an expression of tone. Tone is expressed in function by normal elasticity, strength, and excitability…the cause of disease is any variation in tone.” From the moment we develop in the womb, our nervous system is shaped by the forces acting upon us, including gravity. Just like the tension in a guitar string determines the quality of its sound, the tone and alignment of our body dictate the way we function.

Chiropractic care is focused on optimizing the body’s structure and nervous system function by restoring proper tone, alignment, and movement. While many healthcare approaches have historically examined the body through a biochemical lens, research is increasingly recognizing the profound impact of biomechanics—how structure affects function at the deepest levels, even influencing cellular processes and gene expression.

The ability of your body to resist and adapt to gravity directly impacts your energy, cognitive function, movement, and even lifespan. Your body operates as a dynamic, interconnected system, meaning that a dysfunction in one area can create compensations that affect tissues, organs, and overall health. When spinal bones lose their natural movement, the brain must compensate by shifting posture and redistributing tension, which can place stress on the spinal cord, nerves, and every cell and organ in the body. This breakdown in communication between the brain and body can lead to pain, dysfunction, and disease.

Dr. Alf Breig, a renowned neurosurgeon and Nobel Prize recipient, found that the loss of the natural curve in the cervical spine (neck) can stretch the spinal cord by 5-7 cm, significantly impacting overall health. A growing number of people suffer from ‘Tech Neck’ a forward head posture caused by excessive screen use. This places strain on the spine and nervous system. Research published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society found that older adults with forward-rounded posture had reduced brain function, lower energy levels, increased emotional stress, and higher mortality rates compared to those with proper posture.

Emerging studies also reveal that mechanical stress on cells can alter gene expression, protein synthesis, and even cellular function. This means that structural distortions in the body not only cause pain, but they influence how our body heals, regenerates, and performs at a fundamental level.

As chiropractors, we are passionate about posture because we understand its power. We observe how structural misalignments impact people’s lives, and we know that correcting these issues through chiropractic adjustments can restore health and vitality.

You don’t need to become obsessed with posture, but take a moment to observe yourself and your loved ones. How well is your body adapting to gravity? If you notice postural imbalances, don’t ignore them! Address them with chiropractic care. Regular spinal check-ups and adjustments help ensure that your body is aligned, your nervous system is functioning optimally, and you can live with greater energy, confidence, and health.

Prioritize your posture, prioritize your health—get your spine checked today!