Good posture. Poor posture. Debilitatingly painful posture. Good to see more and more research (below) confirming the negative impact technology is having on the human body. It is FANTASTIC to see more and more research confirming the negative impact technology is having on human POSTURE and human HEALTH. If you use a "device" meaning a smart phone, iPad or a computer, better look in the mirror or at a photo of yourself and see your POSTURE issues. It could explain the CAUSE of your pain - poor posture. Please observe the picture below, I have drawn in the position the entire SPINE has likely migrated to in red. The researchers only looked at the cervical spine, the neck. THEY DID NOT show what total spinal shape changes the rest of the spine has taken on. The spine must maintain the original "S" curve to position the head and shoulders in a healthy fully functioning position. Not only is the neck under 60 lbs of strain holding up the forward head but the entire spine is at risk. You can NOT stick your head out and hang it over the phone or desk without slouching the REST of the spine AND compromising your pelvic, hip, knee and ankle positions. The body works as a whole, not separate parts. See this blog post on that topic. The following is an EXCERPT from a Research Study by a Spine Surgeon. Click HERE for the full Research Study from Surgical Technology Intern'l Journal "Billions of people are using cell phone devices on the planet, essentially in poor posture. The purpose of this study is to assess the forces incrementally seen by the cervical spine as the head is tilted forward, into worsening posture. Good posture is defined as ears aligned with the shoulders and the “angel wings,” or the shoulder blades, retracted. In proper alignment, spinal stress is diminished. It is the most efficient position for the spine. Amy Cuddy and associates1-3 showed that high-power posture posers experienced elevations in testosterone, increases in serotonin, decreases in cortisol, and increased feelings of power and tolerance for risk taking. Low-power posture posers exhibited the opposite pattern. Poor posture invariably occurs with the head in a tilted forward position and the shoulders drooping for- ward in a rounded position. Loss of the natural curve of the cer- vical spine leads to incrementally increased stresses about the cervical spine. These stresses may lead to early wear, tear, degeneration, and possibly surgeries. People spend an average of two to four hours a day with their heads tilted over reading and texting on their smart phones and devices. While it is nearly impossible to avoid the technologies that cause these issues, individuals should make an effort to look at their phones with a neutral spine and to avoid spending hours each day hunched over." These neck positional changes are |
AuthorCatee Ingwersen is an Egoscue certified Posture Alignment Specialist and Licensed Massage Therapist. Archives
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