Americans are sitting more than ever these days, with the typical office worker averaging about 15 hours of sitting a day. The lack of movement and the repetitiveness of sitting day-in and day-out causes our spines and bodies to malfunction, in other words, not work at their highest function. All of this sitting can lead to poor posture, digestive issues, low back pain, sciatica, and overall stiffness and discomfort, among other potential issues and sickness.
Getting daily movement - whether it’s through an everyday task like yard work or shoveling snow or a more intentional work out like lifting weights or going to work a fitness class (like Pilates) - is absolutely vital to our overall health and improving spinal mobility. There’s no arguing that. However, movement isn’t enough to get our spines (and health) back to functioning at its highest level, especially in how we live our daily lives in the 21st century. ADJUSTING TO RESTORE MOTION VS. MOVING WITHIN YOUR RESTRICTED NORMAL Getting adjusted is key to not only strengthening our spine and improving mobility - it helps RESTORE motion in areas of the spine that are, for lack of a better term, STUCK. Let me paint a clearer picture for you. The typical 40-something-year-old office worker has been sitting for somewhere around 8 hours a day for 5 days a week for 15+ years. The body has become accustomed to or adapted to this regular sitting desk posture. As a result, areas of the spine and body have become completely restricted or have a much limited range of motion. When I adjust a patient, I am aiming to start the process of restoring normal motion in those areas of the spine that have become restricted. While daily movement is providing motion to your spine and body, you are going through the range of motion that your body has adapted to (aka sitting posture) while those restricted areas stay restricted, or stuck. We are what we repeatedly do. Our daily actions and thoughts either promote health or promote sickness. So, as you set your intention for the day or the new year, consider incorporating daily movement in addition to getting adjusted into your wellness routine. Chiropractic isn’t just about pain relief, it’s about keeping your spine flexible and your body at the top of its game in order to live a vibrant, mobile everyday life! By Dr. Kevin Clark
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1. CHOOSE THE RIGHT BACKPACK & WEAR IT CORRECTLY An ill-fitting, incorrectly worn or overweight backpack can be a precursor to spinal issues, contribute to bad posture, and even worsen existing problems. Below are a few pointers to follow when shopping for a new backpack:
2. PRACTICE PROPER CLASSROOM POSTURE
Proper posture: we know it’s important but most of us, especially children, do not consciously think about posture throughout the day. Correct posture plays a significant role in not just how we present ourselves to the world, but it can have significant effects on our overall health. How? Our spine surrounds and protects our spinal cord which is the most important part of our nervous system. Without proper spinal alignment, the nervous system can become compromised which can lead to a variety of different symptoms throughout the body. Here are 5 ways to support proper posture:
On average, U.S. students spend at least four and half hours sitting during the school day. For kids ages 8-18, an additional seven hours a day is spent in front of a screen. Combine the sitting at school and in front of a screen with driving to school, doing homework, and eating meals, kids are sitting 85% of their waking hours*! Our bodies are not designed to sit for that many hours in a day and the toll it’s taking on our spines is often manifesting itself as neck pain, sore muscles, mid-back pain, headaches, among other issues. Proper posture, in addition to spinal maintenance through regular exercise and chiropractic adjustments, can help mitigate these risks and prevent future issues. Together, they can ensure a strong, healthy, and confident start for your student this school year! By Dr. Kevin Clark *Source: 2010 survey by Kaiser Family Foundation – Generation M2: Media in the Lives of 8-18 Year Olds |
About the DocDr. Clark is the owner and head chiropractor of Clark Chiropractic in Darien, IL. He is a 4th-generation chiropractor with a passion for wellness. He enjoys researching the latest ways to increase longevity, cooking with his family, spending time outside, and helping patients live an active lifestyle. Archives
June 2024
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