Chiropractors have been talking for years about the fact that physical, chemical, and emotional stresses can cause a Structural Shift in the spine and interfere with proper function in the body
People have no problem understanding how a physical stress, such as falling, lifting, or repeated motions, can cause a Structural Shift.
While chemical stresses may be a little more difficult to understand, after a little explanation, people see how chemicals and poisons in the body affect the spinal musculature and can also cause a Structural Shift in the spine.
Today, more than ever, we are hearing about the effects that emotional stress can have on the body.
People understand the link between emotional stress and ulcers, heart disease and headaches.
Similarly, emotional stress can result in a Structural Shift in the spine.
There are probably a number of mechanisms, but research done at Ohio State University has recently demonstrated some interesting results.
A group of college students repeatedly lifted 11 kg boxes while a special measuring device calculated the pressure on the students’ spines.
During the first half of the experiment researchers offered words of encouragement to the participants while they were performing their tasks. In the second half of the experiment, the students were criticised, sort of like having your boss yelling at you while you are doing your job.
While some of the students were not bothered at all, others, particularly introverted students who did not handle criticism well and who dislike repetitive work to start with, demonstrated an almost 27% increase in pressure on the spine.
Clearly, a 27% increase of pressure on the spine could more than likely create a Structural Shift in your spine.
William Marras, professor of industrial engineering at OSU said,
“What this shows is that there is a body-mind interaction that manifests itself as pressure on the spine.”
Of course, if a person already has a Structural Shift, then the spine is weakened and this stress can have even greater repercussions. Just like a house with a damaged foundation.
The researchers were limiting their research to job-related pressure, but they concluded that the same findings could occur “anywhere exertion and stress combine.”
That could be the pressure of athletic competition or even non-physical stressful situations like talking on the phone with the head titled at an angle, sitting at a computer, or any kind of repetitive work while experiencing the pressures of your job.
Except for major physical traumas, it is likely that almost all Structural Issues in people occur as a result of a combination of physical, chemical, and emotional stresses upon the body.
Clearly, if you DO NOT have a Structural Shift affecting your spine and nervous system you will be better able to withstand those forces, we refer to this as Normal Structure (No-one is perfect, but as close to normal as possible).
Yet, in this stressful world even the strongest spines will receive some structural damage given certain circumstances.
That is why it is important to be aware of the Structural Condition of your spine, so that you can withstand stress and so that if a Structural Shift is identified, it can be corrected as quickly as possible to minimise the collateral damage.
In a similar way, it is also important to minimise stress in your life in order to protect healthy spinal function.
There are always posts, articles and all kinds of advice on how to minimise stress. Most experts seem to agree that taking some time out is vital.
What I recommend to most people is to find something that you enjoy doing and is relaxing.
Whether it is going for a walk, knitting, reading or working in the garden, the important part is to take some time away, and even more important than that is to do it regularly.
As for me, I will be prioritising taking some time by going for a surf.
If you are showing some of the classical signs of a Structural Shift (loss of mobility, muscle weakness, Anterior Head Syndrome, increase in accidents and injuries) then feel free to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation. Here you will be able to sit down and have a conversation regarding your unique case, state of health and health goals without making a commitment.
It is an opportunity for you to get to know us and we can get to know your individual concern to see if Structural Correction is right for you.
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