Posture exercise is an important anti-aging tool. Go to any mall or busy street corner and take a look at the passersby. Other than obvious features like wrinkled skin and gray hair, what most brings attention to how well one has aged is the way one carries oneself. In other words, those who stand erect and move fluidly can look much younger than their years, while those who are stooped and have an unsteady gait often look older than they are. Of course, looks are superficial. Much more important is how one feels and functions.
Poor posture is often the underlying cause of back pain, neck pain, and headaches to name a few unpleasant conditions. Our bodies are structures that must conform to the same physical laws as buildings or bridges and use the forces of Nature to perform the daily miracle of staying alive. Like any other structure there is an ideal alignment of the parts that reduces the stress that can cause collapse. Unlike buildings or bridges, our bodies can adapt and compensate for poor alignment (posture). However, there is a price to pay for that. The price is not only pain, but also the slow deterioration of the entire frame.
Many call this “getting old”. However, if we return to that mall or street corner, we can see that that is not the case. One 60 year-old, for example, may be mistaken for 45, where another may be mistaken for 75. The calendar is an unreliable way to determine a person’s age.
Chiropractic care realigns and mobilizes joints that have lost the ability to do so on their own. Once that is accomplished, posture exercises will strengthen key muscle groups that may have become weakened, as well as stretching those which have become overly tight. This aids greatly in maintaining an erect posture and fluid motion. It also insures full, deep breathing, better circulation, and proper nerve function. In other words, posture exercises are an indispensible aid to a long, active, healthy life.
Dr. Anthony Galzarano, DC
Wissahickon Chiropractic, is located in Philadelphia, PA. He has been in practice since 1982. For more information, visit his website at www.wissachiro.com
