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Study
1
"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."
AJPM
1994;4:36-39
In this article from
the January 1994
issue of the
American Journal of
Pain Management, the
authors state that
the significant
influence of posture
on health is not
addressed by most
physicians. I would
add, that
unfortunately,
postural correction
is not yet a part
of main stream
chiropractic care
either. However, as
the authors go on to
state, "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."
Obviously,
the proper
assessment,
analysis, and if
possible correction
of abnormal posture
is an extremely
important component
of modern health
care.
Study
2
Structural
Rehabilitation of
the Spine and
Posture: Rationale
for Treatment beyond
the Resolution of
Symptoms
Stephan
J. Troyanovich,
D.C.,1 Deed E.
Harrison, D.C.2 and
Donald D. Harrison,
D.C.3
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To provide a
rationale for active
chiropractic
rehabilitative
treatment that
extends beyond the
single goal of
resolution of
symptomatic
complaints.
Results:
The reviewed
material indicates
that all tissue
growth and repair is
influenced by
mechanical loading
and body posture and
is positively
affected by body
postures that
normalize/minimize
adverse mechanical
stresses and
strains. Altered
alignment of the
human frame may lead
to poor healing of
the body tissues and
eventual
pathological
architectural
changes may occur in
muscle, ligament,
bone and central
nervous system.
Minimization of
altered
postural/structural
loading of the human
frame may take
longer than
resolution, or
maximal reduction,
of offensive
symptoms.
By itself, a
patient's perception
of pain is not a
valid indicator of
health.
Conclusions:
Because mechanical
loading of the
neuromusculoskeletal
tissues plays a
vital role in
influencing proper
growth and repair,
chiropractic
rehabilitative care
should focus on the
normalization/minimization
of aberrant stresses
and strains acting
on spinal tissues.
Manipulation alone
cannot restore body
postures or improve
an altered sagittal
spinal curve.
Therefore, postural
chiropractic
adjustments, active
exercises and
stretches, resting
spinal blocking
procedures,
extension traction
and ergonomic
education are deemed
necessary for
maximal spinal
rehabilitation.
Chiropractic studies
that demonstrate
structural
improvements are
sorely lacking, yet
much needed.
The use of passive
treatment modalities
as the sole means of
chiropractic
intervention for the
management of
patients suffering
with
neuromusculoskeletal
dysfunction no
longer has a place
in modern
chiropractic
practice after the
acute phase of
healing has passed.
(J Manipulative
Physiol Ther 1998;
21:37Ñ50). Key
Indexing Terms:
Chiropractic;
Clinical Protocol;
Guidelines;
Rehabilitation;
Utilization;
Posture; Spine Ê Ê
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