It is fair to say that anyone asked if good posture is important will answer yes. This is no different than asking them if a good diet is important. This said, it is equally a non issue for most people. Several reasons exist for this. One is lack of proper knowledge about what to eat as well as how to have proper posture. Another is lack of knowledge of the importance and the effects of negligent posture and nutrition. And thirdly, the inability to regulate, prioritize and discipline themselves to do what is needed to supply themselves with good food and Strong Posture.
As a Chiropractor and Certified Posture Exercise Professional (CPEP DC), I have a unique opportunity to change people’s lives in many ways. The adjustment is the most obvious and well-known therapy chiropractors use, but education and in particular, exercise and posture information are also tools useful to the practicing DC. One of the reasons Chiropractors should avail themselves to this modality is that it expands their ability to help the patient and further allows the patient to help themselves. It is a natural fit within the Chiropractic office. The technique takes little time to employ. Further, most staff members can be trained to teach patients their exercises.
Of great benefit to the practicing CPEP DC is the ability to monitor patient progress and the effect of their care on the patient. The tools used to evaluate posture, especially the StrongPosture® exercise program through BodyZone, give doctors continuous feedback as to the effects of their care and allow the doctor to change treatment based on valid observational techniques which do not require any expensive equipment.
The use of posture as a monitoring tool further allows the Chiropractor to employ its use as a generator of patient visits. Once a patient is released from active care, the doctor, often depending on the patient’s type of employment, can recommend a reevaluation period. This is of value to both the doctor and the patient. The doctor remains in contact with the patient and generates income. The patient benefits by having problems detected prior to their presenting symptoms.
Finally, it is well known that the insurance industry frowns on continued passive care. They are however, willing to reimburse us for rehabilitating the patient and StrongPosture® exercises benefit every part of the body. With the use of posture tools mentioned above, it is also a great way to justify continued care (passively) of the patient.
The principles of posture have been strongly intertwined since the beginning of Chiropractic. Postural evaluation and palpation were often the only tools a Chiropractor had. It is serendipitous that we are returning to those roots and using this system to help continue to integrate ourselves with the current health care system.