There may be something creepy about the way you sit
October is the month of goblins, ghosts, zombies and ghouls. Even if you don’t believe in Halloween or if these spectres don’t scare you, there is probably something else that is likely creeping you out without you even knowing it.
Many, especially those in mechanics, aeronautic technology and engineering understand the concept of “metal fatigue”. With consistent stress or strain on an object even as strong metal, the metal can weaken and be prone to failure. Does such a concept exist in the human body? Absolutely it does, and it is known as “creep”. Creep is described as the constant strain put on soft tissues of the body, in particular ligaments and tendons that can alter the structure and ultimate function of these tissues.
In chiropractic, we promote the importance of good posture, holding the spine in a position of balance, allowing gravity to go through the body with the least amount of stress. With poor posture we often see the head forward over the shoulders, not balanced over the plumb line of the spine. When the head rides forward, there is strain and stress on many of the ligaments of the spine. This stress causes a pull on the ligaments. If you pull on ligaments long enough and with enough force, the ligament can lengthen over time. The process is what is known as “ligament creep”. This creep is likely responsible for most spinal pain that exists today.
Creep can be exemplified by looking at a farmer who experiences an acute episode of back pain during harvest time. Hours can be spent on the combine and then the farmer gets off the machinery to maybe fix something broken down. He lifts or bends and experiences excruciating pain in the back. Too often the action of the bend or lift is blamed. He felt fine before he lifted, so it must be the lift that caused the pain. WRONG.
The constant strain on the ligaments of the spine and pelvis during sitting, lengthened these tissues, affecting
their structural and functional stability. This spine is now at higher risk for injury. Ligament and tendon creep are to blame.
Think about an elastic band. Stretch it long and hard enough, it loses its tautness and becomes loose and sloppy. The ligaments that hold the spinal joints together, and the tendons of the muscles that stabilize that spine can become loose and sloppy when there is constant strain on them, just like that elastic band. A loose and sloppy spine does not offer protection during a deadlift at the gym, or when bending over to pick up your grandchild, or even during a cough or a sneeze. You may have felt your pain at the moment of these activities; however, the creep beforehand is really the culprit. Promoting better posture can limit the creep but moving is far better. Sit less, get rid of your belly (it too causes ligament creep on the lower back), and regularly strengthen your core muscles to reduce the amount of creep. Mobility, not immobility, creates stability.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.