Bad posture is a modern day health epidemic that is much worse than most people naturally assume. Posture is the window into your spine. The spine has a powerful relationship with the brain, spinal cord, and overall organ function. This intimate connection means that poor posture and spinal health will lead to an overall decrease in brain and organ function.

Nobel Prize recipient Dr. Roger Sperry says that the spine is the motor that drives the brain. According to his research "90% of the stimulation and nutrition to the brain is generated by the movement of the spine." Only 10% of our brain's energy goes into thinking, metabolism, immunity, and healing. Sperry demonstrated that 90% of brain energy goes into processing and maintaining the body's relationship with gravity.

One of the worst types of health problems people experience is a loss of the natural curves of their spine. Ideally, we should have a 40-45 degree curve in our neck that many chiropractors and neurosurgeons refer to as "the arc of life." This curve helps to protect the brain stem and the spinal canal for the spinal cord and nerves that travel to every region of our body.

Subluxation is the term for misalignments of the spine that cause compression and irritation of nerve pathways affecting organ systems of the body. Subluxations can manifest as pain, but since only a small portion of spinal nerves transmit pain sensations they are often unnoticeable by the individual. Losing the arc of life in the neck, forward head posture, and scoliosis are three of the most dangerous forms of subluxation.

Subluxation patterns such as forward head posture and loss of the neck curve are most often created by trauma and/or poor posture. Examples of trauma include the birth process (especially with forceps delivery), falls, car accidents, & sporting activities. The typical individual in our society today spends at least 3-4 hours a day slumped in front of a television, computer, and texting cell phone. These behaviors cause the head to shift forward and create a lasting posture pattern called forward head posture.

This 'forward head posture' can add up to 30 pounds of abnormal leverage pulling the entire spine out of alignment and may result in the loss of 30% of vital lung capacity," says University of California's director of physical medicine and rehabilitation, Rene Cailliet.

Some chiropractors specialize in corrective care techniques that reduce or eliminate forward head posture and restore the natural curves of the body. This is done through gentle & specific adjustments that take pressure off of the brain stem and nerve pathways and enhance function to the body.  Studies have shown that corrective based chiropractic care effectively reduces forward head posture and enhances the arc of life. 

Improve your posture through a chiropractic adjustment!  Contact our office today!

January 10, 2011; Dr. David Jockers; Natural News.com

Many severe attacks of back pain develop from something as insignificant as bending over a bathroom sink, reaching to pick up a small item, sneezing, or reaching into a low cabinet.  Usually, there has been a series of small accidents leading up to this cause for the back injury.  Heavy lifting, falls, or severe strain are early precipitation factors in many back injuries.  Most often, they have occurred previously and have been forgotten.  

Faulty spinal dynamics are often a cause of severe back pain.  Faulty spinal alignment, over a period of time, will cause gradual weakening of disc fibers and other ligaments.  In this weakened condition, all it takes is a simple movement, such as reaching into the cupboard, for an injury to occur.  

When such an incident occurs, the following measures should be taken:

1)  Lie down immediately in any position that is comfortable.
2)  Place a cold pack directly to the area of pain, cover with a towel, and keep the pack in place for 20-30       
      minutes.  (If you do not have a cold pack, you can place 6-10 ice cubes in a plastic bag.)    
      This will hurt at first, but after several minutes the area will be desensitized and you will feel better.  Do not 
       remove the pack until 20-30 minutes have elapsed.  Reapply the ice as instructed by your doctor.
3)  Call your chiropractic doctor and make arrangements to go to the office as soon as possible.  In some cases,
       it may be suggested that you remain at home in bed for a period of time.
4)  Do not sit in a recliner of any kind, as this will aggravate the condition.
5)  Maintain a positive outlook.  Under Chiropractic care, back injury conditions usually respond favorably.  
      However, it takes time, so be patient.  Let your doctor of Chiropractic determine what is best for your 
      condition.

One of the most beneficial things you can do to prevent a back injury is to routinely seek Chiropractic care, even when feeling good.  This is a great way to maintain good health and help correct minor misalignments before they can cause a severe injury! 

The effects of poor posture can be serious in terms of health, comfort, and efficiency, causing fatigue.  Many problems can be helped.  If you or a member of your family has what appears to be postural problems, you should seek the advise of a chiropractor.  Unless there is an anatomical (structural deformity) or pathological (disease-caused) disturbance, the chances for correction are excellent.

If not corrected, poor posture can affect the health and well-being of the individual.  Poor posture contributes to shallow breathing, a cramped chest cavity, faulty digestion, poor elimination, and poor venous return.  Each of which affects not only the functions of individual organs, but also the systems.  Lack of energy and reduced coordination are just two of many symptoms of a body that is not functioning efficiently.

What are the benefits of correct posture?
1)  Improves health.
2)  Improves appearance.
3)  Improves coordination.
4)  Increases strength.
5)  Gives more stamina.
6)  Allows clothes to fit better.
7)  Gives confidence.
8)  Gives better body balance and improves agility.
9)  Reduces the possiblity for injury.
10)  Aids in physcial and mental development.

There are many benefits for ensuring correct posture.  If a family member, friend, or yourself needs help with obtaining better posture, feel free to contact our office for more information.  We would love the opportunity to improve your health!   

Many women who are pregnant and experiencing headaches, neck and back pain may be looking for relief and a way to avoid using pain medications. Drugs and surgery are absolutely needed at times, but when pregnant, serious consideration is needed for the safety of both mom and baby. For those who are seeking a natural and effective way of treating a spinal condition, chiropractic care may be right for you. As a chiropractor/acupuncturist serving the Oklahoma City area, I have had the honor of treating numerous expecting moms with great results.

Pregnant bodies need a flexible and balanced spine, hips, and pelvis; internal organs need to be free of postural stress, as well as, nerve stress. During pregnancy, may physiological changes occur within the body as it prepares for the growth and delivery of the baby. Such changes with the growth of the abdomen can include pelvic changes, increased curvature of the back, swelling, and inflammation of the joints. With these changes, a misalignment of a joint or the spine can likely occur. Misaligned joints of the body along with the increasing weight of the growing baby can put a tremendous amount of pressure on the spine and organs.

It has been observed that 50-70% of pregnant women suffer from lower back pain. It is also highly common for pregnant moms to experience headaches, neck pain, and shoulder tension. When it comes to chiropractic care for pregnant moms, there are no adverse effects, unlike those which come along with many medications. The benefits of chiropractic care during pregnancy include: a healthier pregnancy and baby, help in the control of nausea symptoms, an easier and safer delivery, and relief of back and neck pain. An adjustment can highly reduce spinal nerve stress, promote healing throughout the body, and increase proper positioning for the delivery. It is also important to remember to continue your chiropractic care regularly after childbirth to ensure good health for yourself as a busy mom and for your growing child.

It is important during pregnancy to seek out options that support your body's natural abilities to function and heal. Chiropractic care will help ensure that all the body's systems are functioning to there best capacity which will promote a easier pregnancy, a safer delivery, and a healthy newborn. Along with a better diet, exercise, and avoiding drugs, alcohol and cigarettes, chiropractic care should be an essential part of a pregnant woman’s healthcare regimen.

*Read this article written by Dr. Seyoung Kim for "BragBook Magazine"  in the Spring/Summer 2011 Issue

Though doctors are unsure of what causes blood pressure to increase, a new study suggest that a specific type of neck adjustment may reduce hypertension for some of the 65 million Americans battling it.  The University of Chicago study, published in the Journal of Human Hypertension, looked at the possibility of a connection between a spinal realignment and a decrease in blood pressure.  The results were intriguing.  The patients who received the chiropractic adjustments saw their blood pressure drop an average of 17 points-a dip that usually takes two blood pressure medications to achieve.


Why it may work?  The idea behind the realignment is that the C-1 vertebra, located at the top of the spine, operates like a fuse box in the body.  When it's twisted, it can pinch arteries and nerves at the neck's base, which not only causes discomfort but also affects the blood flow.  "When the spine is misaligned, it can affect all types of things, all types of disease conditions," said chiropractor Marshall Dickholtz Jr.


The Limitations.  While the study presents interesting ideas, it has its limitations according to "Good Morning America" medical editor Dr. Tim Johnson.  "There are a lot of unanswered questions.  But I'm telling you, this catches our attention because of a significant drop in the blood pressure.  It absolutely deserves more study."
A larger study has been commissioned; in the original study only 50 patients were treated, of which only 25 got the real adjustment, while others received a fake one.  Afterwards there was only an eight week follow-up.  Besides determining which patients would require x-rays to determine whether the procedure could help them, the procedure requires very special chiropractic training, Johnson said.  And no one knows for sure how long the neck adjustments or blood pressure decreases will last.
Johnson said that people with neck pain and hypertension should visit their primary care physician first and not substitute the doctor's visit with a trip to the chiropractor.  "But in talking with their doctor if they are having some neck problems they might want to entertain this idea."


March 25, 2008; Naaman and Ibanga; ABC News Internet Ventures