Why is Posture So Important? 

The bones of our skeletons are shaped and connected in such a way that when properly positioned by the muscle system, there is a balance and integrity throughout our entire bodies. This ‘Structural Integrity’ or ‘Postural Balance' promotes musculo-skeletal health, as well as healthy organs and organ function.

Gravity…..That’s why !!   
As soon as any tall & narrow structure strays from its vertical center, the forces of gravity are increased immensely throughout every bit of that structure. Gravity is the single most important physical stress that is affecting our bodies every waking moment that we are sitting up, standing, and moving around. There is no way to avoid gravity. We must exist with it. We don't however have to fight it. When we are able to balance all our segments (joints) properly, on top of each other, we can exist in the field of gravity with minimal and evenly-distributed effort on behalf of our musculo-skeletal system.

Let’s take just the head and neck position for example. For every inch your head is forward of your shoulders, an extra 10 pounds of load is placed on the neck and shoulder muscles. So, a 12 pound head that is 3 inches forward of the shoulders is causing the head to feel like 42 pounds to the muscles on the back side of the neck. This forward head also places 'no load' on the front side on the neck. Over time this unbalanced load causes many negative effects on the underlying structures. Ideally, when the head is centered over the shoulders, its natural weight (~12 pounds) is distributed among all of the neck muscles evenly, (front & back).

This example should be realized for every segment of the body from the feet to the head, including ankles, knees, pelvis, spine, & head. Every segment and joint has a natural neutral position that will balance and integrate the entire structure 'or body' within the field of gravity with minimal effort. 

Physical Stress vs. Mental Stress
The physical stress that I am referring to includes things like gravity, extreme temperatures, weather, hunger, and the like. For most of these physical stresses, civilization has learned how to manage a level of 'ease & comfort' through technology. (i.e. - mass production/distribution of food, climate controlled habitats, hurricane warnings, etc.). Gravity, however, needs personal attention - on an individual basis - through conscious awareness - and conscious effort - to reach a level of 'ease & comfort' within our own structure.

The mental stress that I refer to includes things like anxiety, anger, frustration, sadness, loneliness, etc. - typically, our negative emotions. Many negative emotions are just fine and a part of life, just roll with it. I've read that suppressing emotions can be unhealthy. Emotional and mental health is not within my scope of practice. I am mentioning it here to express the difference between mental and physical 'stress'.

Conscious Effort  vs.  Subconscious Effort
Posture is basically a habit and habits can be very hard to change - especially a habit that is a part of every waking moment of life. Postural habits develop many ways. As children we emulate parents and peers and never give it much thought or 'conscious effort'. No matter what, if you are 'up', then you are making an effort. You cannot be standing or sitting up without muscular effort. If the muscles made no effort you would fall into a heap on the floor. I refer to it as 'subconscious effort' because most of us are unaware of this effort. That is until we are physically exhausted after long hours of sitting or standing still, with no real physical exertion involved.  Sound familiar? Plane rides, long lines, all day on your feet, all day at a desk, etc. The way we carry ourselves during our everyday routines plays a very significant role in the health of our musculo-skeletal system.

When correcting habits of poor posture, the conscious effort to maintain better posture may seem like more effort. However, the better-posture-position physically balances your segments in such a way that your weight is evenly distributed among all the proper muscle groups, and actually requires much less effort. The effort at this point becomes more towards resisting old patterns and habits rather than against a never-ending & losing-battle with gravity. This better posture or 'structural integrity' will eliminate the patterns of chronic muscle contraction, connective tissue adhesions, and other pain causing symptoms that are created from a lifetime of poor posture.


Sleeping Position  vs.  Awake Position
Skeletal-muscles are loaded with our body weight when we are up, sitting, standing, and moving around. When we are in bed, or reclined with head supported, our entire skeletal-muscle system is literally unloaded from the weight of our bodies. This unloaded state gives muscles a much needed chance to relax and recover from our usual daily routine. After an unusually stressful day or event, those muscles involved in the tension can sometimes become ‘stiff’ or ‘stuck’ during the sleep-recovery period. If you wake up with a stiff neck, don’t immediately blame your Sleeping Position, the bed, or pillow. Look, instead, a little further back in time, for the causes – i.e. Awake Position – This is where physical stress in the form of gravity can negatively affect your musculo-skeletal system to the point of chronic pain and joint dysfunction.