Spine and body alignment: Part 2

The spine plays an important role in body alignment. We have to be very careful not to hurt the spine as we exercise and perform in sports. It is a very sensitive and very important part of the skeletal structure because it houses and protects the spinal

THIS system communicates through impulses, controlling and co-coordinating all the body parts. Disturbances to this part of the anatomy will result in impaired co-ordination and therefore inefficient body movements, depending on how much damage has been done.

By the Almighty design we have three gentle curves in the spine, in the neck, upper back and lower back. Some individuals have exaggerated curves in these areas.

Exaggerated curves cause misalignment of both the skeletal structure and muscles in that area and apart from compromised physical performance this can have negative health implications.

As we age, the body’s ability to handle the stress and strain of misalignment is reduced so the spine may bend further.

A bent spine can come about naturally or is hereditary. At times this comes about in adulthood due to several factors; failure to detect the bent spine in childhood, or a bent spine that was seen but ignored, an occurring spinal condition due to lifestyle or arthritis .

Naturally all bones will degenerate in time but misalignment quickens the process. Spinal imbalance can also come about after surgery. Skewed strength and flesh development in any area will misalign the skeletal structure.

These imbalances will change the shape of the spine as it will bend at the weaker dimension going towards the stronger dimension.

There is need to incorporate appropriate methods of training. We are all different in the way we are made and the way we move, but there are standard principles of movement.

The three types of curvature of the spine are the outward curve (kyphosis), the inward curve the (cordosis) and the sideways curve (scoliosis).

The doctors say the sideways curve affects three people in a hundred. These situations can be dealt with by the doctors, but exercise may help reduce or contain the situation .Even after surgery the doctors recommend exercise for rehabilitation.

What can one do to align the muscles through exercise? Balance the strength and/or development of the muscles surrounding the spinal cord from all dimensions.

This means strengthening the weak muscles to match the strong muscles but at the same time condition the strong muscles. Lose mass on the overly developed areas, and strengthen the poorly developed muscles to protect the spine from bending towards the strong area.

There are three planes (dimensions) from which to compare the balance of the body from .The first is the balance between the right and left hand sides .Normally our left hand side and the right hand side are similar but slightly different in shape, size and strength.

If the difference is too much, you will need to attend to the weaker side .Weight trainers use unilateral movements (exercising using one arm, shoulder, leg), or two dumbbells to minimize the excessive differences.

Each side of the body has to lift the prescribed weight on its own. If it cannot lift the weight, then the weight is reduced on both sides to maintain symmetry .

This may help halt the sideways curve of the spine.

The second dimension relates to the balance between the back and front .For instance, there has to be a balance between the chest and the upper back. A big ribcage with a strong chest and weak upper back may leave one with an inward exaggerated curve of the lower spine as the chest tilts pushing the lower back in.

A big strong upper back and weak chest will curve the back outward, with the weak chest collapsing into the abdomen. This may cause difficulties in breathing and sleeping if it worsens. In this case, exercise the ribcage and the muscles that join the chest to the back.

A protruding abdomen will cause an inward back curve and will result in low back pain in the long run .The weaker lower back is not only curved in but it also has to support the weight of the upper body that is tilted up by the big stronger tummy .

There has to be a balance between abdomen and lower back. The stronger muscle will tilt the upper body weight to the weaker side. Even the neck the muscles have to be evenly conditioned.

The good thing is that the spine is flexible because of the nature of its composition. This means some situations can be reversed by aligning the flesh if the bones are still tender or if the situation is caused by lifestyle conditions.

That is why it is necessary to go for a medical examination, not only before one starts exercise but even throughout the training phases. Early diagnosis and treatment is necessary, a stitch in time saves nine.

These conditions do not prohibit anyone to participate in any exercise/ sporting activity; you just have to be aware and devise ways to do it without aggravating the situation. Actually it pays dividends for affected persons to exercise because this will minimize the higher rate of wear and tear caused by misalignment.

Apart from genetics and trauma, when we feel aches and pains, sleep problems and fatigue in the old age this maybe be a culmination of how we handled the physiques including our imperfect body movements and imbalanced acquisition of strength and flesh.

We can never say that this will not happen to us because we exercise perfectly and religiously because there are so many causes beyond our control, but we try to minimize the chances.