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Importance of Posture
Buying into the health 
and longevity that good posture can bring. 
The Riddle of the Sphinx
Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity.  
 
Posture has been found in the art work of ancient civilizations, presented in the science and practice of yoga, and taught in the arts for millenniums. Dating back thousands of years, much is described about posture and its relationship to health and longevity, and is depicted in this ancient riddle:

"What is it that walks on four feet in the morning, 
two at noon, and three at night?" 

  

Greek mythology names one man, Oedipus, who solved the riddle by answering: "Man," who crawls on four limbs as a baby, who walks upright on two as an adult, and who walks with the aid of a stick in old age."

  

The riddle identifies postural instability as a person's most important obstacle to a path of health and longevity - 2,500 years ago. The interesting idea behind this riddle is that the same forces that strengthen posture in our youth also begin to destroy posture once we approach our adult size.
 
What Good Posture Can Do For You
The hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining good posture. Posture must be given the same importance as other healthy choices like exercising, eating right, resting well, etc. One of the biggest advantages of maintaining good posture is that is makes you more energetic, healthier, and enables you to move gracefully. Good posture is more about being conscious of yourself and in rhythm with your entire body. When your body is properly aligned, your bones, rather than your muscles support your weight and thus strain and effort on the body is greatly reduced. 
 
Good posture helps:
  • Improve organ function. 
  • Reduce tension and pain in neck, shoulders, and back.
  • Increase concentration and mental performance. 
  • Increase height. 
  • Increase confidence.
How to Manage Your Posture
One of the most important tips to establishing and maintaining good posture is being consistently aware of how you stand, sit, and move.
  • Most Important: Think Tall: Envision a string attached to the top of your head, slighting lifting and pulling you up. The chin should be horizontal and parallel to the floor, drawn back, and slightly centered. Try to stand, walk, and sit "tall" at all times.
  • One Position to the Next:  Staying in one position for too long will result in the muscles to eventually get tired and cause the body to get stiff or weaken, worsening posture. The best way to counteract this is to make sure that you are not in one position for too long.
  • Upright and Supported Feet:  Your feet naturally roll inward, causing your knees to bend and your back to slouch. This is the typical position for bad posture. Keeping your feet in this position will tire out your entire body, which will cause further bad posture. Make sure that you keep your feet placed upright and wear comfortable and supportive shoes to help with their placement.
  • Strength Building Exercises:  Age can weaken muscles, making it harder to maintain a good posture. In order to counteract the effect of aging on your posture, maintain an exercise routine to strengthen the lower back and legs.
  • Correct Positions for Stooping, Squatting & Kneeling: 
    For each of these positions, face the object, keep your feet apart, tighten your stomach muscles and lower yourself using your legs. 
     
    Correct Positions
What Dr. Sullivan Recommends for Treatment
Dr. Sullivan recommends Active Release Techniques to loosen up the tight muscles the create poor posture, especially in the lower back and neck muscles. Restoring proper muscle function and movement enables the body to respond properly to the forces that generate postural stability. In addition, to correct your poor posture and retrain the muscles, there is a under armour like shirt call the Intelliskin shirt which keeps you in a good posture. You can learn more about this posture shirt by going to www.intelliskin.net.
 
Exercises to Increase Strength for Good Posture: 
  1. Upper back foam rolling to increase the mobility of your upper back.
  2. Prone cobra to strengthen the weak muscles in your back. 
  3. Prone pushups to work on the extension in your lower back.
  4. Chin retractions exercises to strengthen your neck muscles.
  5. Glute bridges to strengthen glute muscles and take stress off of your lower back. 
Health & Wellness Articles

NOVA Chiropractic Blog Article: 

Try the BRAND NEW PostureZone App!
Find NOVA Chiropractic on Facebook, Twitter, & LinkedIn!

Note: The material provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only. The opinions expressed herein may not always reflect the views of the NOVA Chiropractic, nor do they imply an endorsement. 
In This Issue
Importance of Posture
NOVA Chiropractic Blog Article
How's Your Posture Right Now?
Brand New PostureZone App
Laser Therapy
Ingredient of the Week
Stay Fit with Local Events
The Healthy Alternative
Contact Information
8992 Fern Park Drive
Burke, VA 22015
703-912-7822
Office Hours
Mon  8:00 - Noon   2:00 - 7:00

Tues  8:00 - Noon  2:00 - 7:00

Wed  8:00 - Noon   2:00 - 7:00

Thurs 7:00 - Noon  2:00 - 7:00

Fri      Closed 
Sat     Closed 
Sun    Closed 
Quick Links
  
  
  
  
K-Laser Therapy
 The Latest & Greatest at NOVA Chiropractic
The laser has proven to help dozens of patients at NOVA Chiropractic! Common conditions with current patients that laser therapy is helping to heal are:
  • Herniated discs
  • Knee arthritis
  • Carpel tunnel syndrome
  • Achilles tendinitis 
  • Neck and back pain
  • and much more!
For more information, call 703-912-7822 or email [email protected]
Ingredient of the Week
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta is an Italian whey cheese made from sheep (or cow, goat, or Italian buffalo) milk whey left over from the production of cheese. It has approximately 335 mg of calcium per 4 oz. Calcium rich foods help support bones and muscular system. Ricotta is rich in:
  • Calcium
  • Phosphorus
  • Sellenium
Stay Fit with 
Local Events!
07/20/13 
 
08/10/13
2013 Seminars/Events 
Active Release Technique 

Re-Certification Seminar 

Iselin, New Jersey

 

Medicare Seminar

Richmond, Virginia

 

Health and Safety Fair

Fort Belvoir, VA

 

Health Fair at the Naval Research Laboratory

Washington, DC

 

The Healthy Alternative
The Healthy Alternative

A guidebook written by

Dr. Sullivan!

  
The Healthy Alternative: 

A Guide For A Pain-Free, Active Lifestyle empowers and educates the reader when confronted with back or neck on the treatment options available and integrating the safest, most effective ways to manage and prevent pain. Order Now!