Chiropractors or FBI profilers you ask? Well, maybe not your whole life story (just the parts you filled in on the initial consultation form)!
Your chiropractor can also decipher a certain amount about the lifestyle you live based on your posture. From the amount of time spent on your mobile, to the way you sleep every night. Your “profile” is often obvious from your posture.
Considering you may be practising these bad posture habits daily, here are some of the things a FBI profilerChiropractor is often able to determine just by looking at you.
5 Things a Chiropractor Knows!!
You sleep on your stomach.
Sleeping on your stomach can strain your back and spine as you are unable to maintain a neutral spine in this position. Have you ever woken up with aches in your neck or back? When there is stress on your spine it can negatively affect other parts of your body. This is because your spine is connected to many other nerves. As most of our weight tends to be focused in the middle of our bodies, sleeping on your stomach can put unwarranted pressure on your spine. None of us want to wake up feeling rubbish in the morning unless we were out celebrating the night before!! If you want to maintain your neutral spine the best way to sleep is on your back with a pillow beneath your knees.
You have “text neck.”
Yep, there is an official term for being on your phone too much. Text neck is the rounding of the spine at the neck down towards the shoulder blades. Basically, it is the reversing of the upper spine’s natural C-shaped curve. Unfortunately, chiropractors are beginning to see this happening in many of their patients including the younger age groups. Fun fact, your noggin weighs between 4.5 and 5.5kg. This means that when you are on some form of technology, whether it be a tablet or phone, the pressure on your spine is increased, the more you tip your head down to look at the screen. This added pressure can lead to migraines, and you thought dimming your screen brightness would help with those! To help avoid text neck try holding your phone at eye level and get an arm workout instead. They weren’t joking when they said social media is bad for your health!
You carry something heavy on your shoulder, daily.
If you have a heavy handbag, or lug a laptop around all day, chances are you are unknowingly hiking up one shoulder causing ongoing spinal issues. Ladies, they do have a term for your handbag being too heavy it’s called “poshitis,” named after Victoria Beckham and her large handbags. When the pressure is uneven on your shoulders, the muscles in your spine often work to counteract the weight. This can increase pressure on your lower back and create misalignment over time. To help prevent a drooping shoulder try lightening the load or carrying your bag on alternating shoulders.
You spend most of your day sitting.
At a desk, in the car, at university, basically anywhere where you’re sitting for long periods with incorrect posture or ergonomics. The aim of the game is to keep your spine in neutral position to avoid unwanted aches, so if your uni lecturer has your slumped in your chair it’s time to re-evaluate your posture. Getting up every 30 minutes to take a quick walking break or practicing specific back and neck stretches given to you by your chiropractor can help. If you work at a desk job it is important to have the correct ergonomics set up to avoid any detrimental changes to the curvature of your spine.
You’re anxious or feeling down.
Often, people that feel down or insecure can have a slight hunch as they look down at their feet or avoid eye contact. This can affect your spine in a similar manner as text neck. Hunching over can also lead to a rounded upper back, causing other aches and pains.
If you need a Chiropractor or Occupational Therapist in Perth, please give us a call at Langer Chiropractic and Soft Tissue Therapy.
PH: 08 9382 3466
info@langerhealth.com.au
Office Location: 1/36 Salvado Rd Wembley, WA 6014 Australia