We’ve been thinking about the effects of bad posture. An October 2004 study, published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, titled, “Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-dwelling Men and Women: A Prospective Study”, evaluates hyperkyphosis, one of the most dangerous postures. Through this study, conclusions can be made that by improving spinal and postural health, you positively influence function and performance in the body.
Bad posture can also contribute to disease processes. By improving spinal and postural health with the help of a Bend chiropractor, you can improve function and performance while avoiding some disease processes.
Negative Effects of Hyperkyphosis
The hyperkyphosis posture includes a rounded back, hunched shoulders and a forward-leaning head. This posture decreases the lumbar curve and adds stress to the lumbar facets and discs. Sound familiar? Hyperkyphosis affects over 60% of the workforce, as it stems from sitting at desks and staring at computer screens for hours a day. In addition to the workforce, the posture is also seen as an effect of hunching over video games, cell phones and other devices.
The study found that:
- Hyperkyphotic posture was more common in men than women
- In age and sex-adjusted analyses, individuals with hyperkyphotic posture had a 1.44 greater rate of mortality (44%)
- Hyperkyphotic posture was specifically associated with an increased rate of death due to atherosclerosis
- For deaths due to atherosclerosis, participants with hyperkyphotic posture had a significant 2.4 times greater rate of death
While many may attribute bad posture to more cosmetic problems, it also contributes to decreased organ function. In addition to contributing to disease processes, bad posture can also cause early death over a period of time.
Improve Spinal and Postural Health
Chiropractic care helps improve spinal and postural health by correcting vertebral subluxations. By doing so, a Bend chiropractor can help add years to your life. By detecting and correcting vertebral subluxations, posture can improve, which leads to a positive influence on function and performance. Every chiropractic technique helps improve spinal and postural health, which in turn helps prevent early death and disease processes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyperkyphosis and Postural Health
What is hyperkyphotic posture?
Hyperkyphotic posture refers to an exaggerated forward curve of the upper back, often showing up as rounded shoulders, a hunched upper back and a forward-leaning head. It is most commonly associated with long hours sitting at a desk, looking down at phones, or other postural habits that build up over time, and it goes beyond the mild, natural curve every spine has in that region.
Is poor posture only a cosmetic issue?
No. While a rounded back and hunched shoulders are often viewed as appearance concerns, hyperkyphotic posture has also been studied for its broader relationship to overall spinal function, including added stress on the lumbar spine and its supporting structures. Addressing posture early is generally considered a helpful part of supporting long-term spinal health.
What are common signs of hyperkyphosis?
General signs can include a visibly rounded upper back, shoulders that roll forward, a head that sits ahead of the shoulders, and stiffness or fatigue in the upper back after long periods of sitting. A chiropractor can perform a postural assessment to get a clearer picture of an individual’s spinal alignment.
How can chiropractic care support spinal and postural health?
Chiropractic care focuses on identifying and correcting vertebral subluxations, which can contribute to poor postural alignment over time. Through consistent chiropractic techniques, many patients work toward improved spinal positioning, which may support better overall function and comfort as part of a broader approach to musculoskeletal health.
What can I do between chiropractic visits to support better posture?
Simple daily habits can help support the work done during chiropractic visits, such as setting up an ergonomic desk with the monitor at eye level, taking regular breaks to stand and stretch, staying mindful of posture while using a phone or other devices, and practicing exercises that strengthen the muscles supporting the upper back and neck.
Contact Pangea Family Chiropractic to talk to a Bend chiropractor about how removing vertebral subluxations can help improve bodily function and performance.
