Postural Changes with Weight Gain from the Eyes of a San Diego Chiropractor

How does gaining weight affect our posture?

Several of my previous blog posts talked about how important posture is to your health.  Today I intend to point how how our posture will decay as we gain weight.  This is especially potent this time of year as people pack on a few extra pounds over the holidays.

The image at the bottom of this post shows exactly what happens to posture when we gain weight.  Ideal posture can be identified in people who are ‘in verticle’.  Being ‘in verticle’ is when you drop a verticle plumb line through the ear (when viewed from the side).  This imaginary plumb line will intersect the shoulder joint, hip joint, knee joint and ankle joint.  Notice how the head begins to shift forward.  Notice how the upper back protrudes posteriorly.  Notice the pendulous abdomen that literally shifts the body’s center of gravity.  All of these things wreak havoc on the spinal joints and nervous system over time.  As the posture decays more and more over time the overall health is affected dramatically.  The nervous system works extra hard to maintain this body relative to gravity. 

Remember, your health is your responsibility.  Take action today and stay healthy for life!

Related posts:

1. San Diego Chiropractor: Stress & Weight Gain
2. San Diego Chiropractor: Forward Head Posture