Curves Matter!
“Never argue with a hunch…” Florence Scovel Shinn
Our spines bend and move constantly, enabling us to accomplish so much on a daily basis that we often forget about them – until they unpleasantly remind us through pain or other late-stage signs of dysfunction. But did you know that spinal structure and curves are actually critically important at all ages?
Spinal curves often get a bad reputation in an abnormal side-to-side curve (scoliosis) that sometimes develops in adolescence. But normal front-to-back spinal curves are crucial! They are named by the direction they face: lordosis in the cervical (neck) and lumbar (low back) that face convex-forward, and kyphosis in the thoracic (midback) and sacrum that face convex-backward. Together, they showcase the spine’s ingenious mechanical engineering and are crucial for its proper structure and function. The spinal column’s main task is protecting the spinal cord, providing rigid structure and absorbing shock against gravity while also being flexible enough for us to sit, stand and walk upright throughout our daily tasks. It takes proper curves and nerves to accomplish this!
Normal curves begin to emerge in the first few weeks of a newborn’s life and need correct neurological control and muscle development to properly engage in the movements of feeding, tummy-time, crawling and walking during these crucial developmental windows. Curves continue to form until full skeletal maturity, but they are not static and can still change in adults. Spinal curves are prone to subluxations (chiropractic misalignments with altered neurological control) and biomechanical disruption – by repeat microtraumas like incorrect posture or a single large trauma such as a car crash. The most common altered curves are lack of lordosis in the neck and low back. Even a few degrees of altered curve can damage and stretch delicate tissues, and if uncorrected can result in dis-ease and dysfunction. Start-to-finish, curves matter!
At any age, proper brain-to-body connection and nerve control will allow efficient movement patterns and the body’s biomechanical structures to function optimally. The best way to care for curves and nerves is to ensure kids and adults alike have a fully-functioning nerve system that’s free of interference. Don’t forget about your spine – get your curves checked and maintained by an expert at Basler Family Chiropractic!
References:
Saunders FR, Gregory JS, Pavlova AV, Muthuri SG, Hardy RJ, Martin KR, Barr RJ, Adams JE, Kuh D, Aspden RM, Cooper R, Ireland A. Motor development in infancy and spine shape in early old age: Findings from a British birth cohort study. J Orthop Res. 2020 Dec;38(12):2740-2748. doi: 10.1002/jor.24656. Epub 2020 Mar 18. PMID: 32162719; PMCID: PMC8641380.
Léonard Swann Chatelain, Anne-Laure Simon, Marc Khalifé, Emmanuelle Ferrero,Pediatric spinal alignment and spinal development, North American Spine Society Journal (NASSJ), Volume 20, 2024, 100548, ISSN 2666-5484, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.xnsj.2024.100548.
