Posture is Neurologically Controlled

“The nervous system controls all other systems and related the individual to his or her environment.”
-Gray’s Anatomy, 29th American Edition, Page 4.

Dr. Henry Gray’s fact is interpreted as:
-Humans develop, act and react in time and need to their environment under the direction and control of the nervous system.

For Pettibon Doctors gravity is an absolute environment to which the upright spine and posture must develop and relate to.

The role that gravity plays is key in both spinal dysfunction and correction and is the basis from which Pettibon chiropractic principles work. As Dr. Pettibon explains, “The nervous system always wants us to hold our heads upright. And the nervous system will do this at the expense of displacing the lower spine.”

Find out what good posture looks like.

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Important facts to know about your posture

"Posture affects and moderates every physiologic function from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the functions most easily influenced by posture."
-American Journal of Pain Management 1994, 4: 36-39

"The more mechanically distorted a person is, the less energy available for healing, metabolism, and thought."
-Roger Sperry Ph.D. (Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1981)

"To live a long, active, energetic life, few things matter more than good posture." -American Journal of Pain Management 1994, 4: 36-39

"Posture and normal physiology and function are interrelated. Abnormal posture is evident in patients with chronic pain-related conditions including backache, headache, and stress-related illnesses."
-American Journal of Pain Management 1994, 4: 36-39

"Older persons with hyperkyphotic (slouching) posture are more likely to have physical functional difficulties"
-J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci 2005 May;60(5):633-7

"Alterations in the static alignment of the cervical (neck) curve cause alterations in the motion of the cervical spine during flexion-extension."
- Spine 2002; 27(15):E348-E355

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What does good posture looks like?

Front-To-Back: Shoulders and hips should be even and knees are equal. Head should also be level not turned or tilted.

Lateral: A straight, vertical line can be drawn from the opening of our ear through our shoulder joint, hip joint, knee and ankle.

Lateral: There should be a forward curve in your neck (cervical curve), a backward curve in your middle back (thoracic curve) a forward curve in your low back (lumbar curve). The three spinal curves give your spinal muscles leverage and enable your back to be aligned front-to-back.