Have you ever considered the impact your spinal health has on your overall health potential? Research shows that spinal alignment is much more than posture – it’s a gateway to achieving your best health. The curves of your spine play a crucial role in how your body functions, helping to explain why some people live with chronic health complications, and reveals why some people only seem to survive rather than thrive and live life to the fullest.
Your health depends on your spine’s structure. That is why it is said, ‘structure governs function’. Meaning, the structure of the primary curves of your spine directly impacts the foundation and function of your nervous system – and other parts of your body.
The structure of the primary and secondary curves of your spine directly impacts the function of your nervous system.
Primary curves are the natural curves present at birth, namely the thoracic (upper back) and sacral (lower back) curves. They are called “primary” because they are the first curves to develop in a growing human body.
Secondary curves develop after birth as the spine matures and the body begins to assume an upright posture. These include the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) curves. The cervical curve forms when an infant begins lifting their head, developing neck muscles and creating a gentle inward curve (lordosis). The lumbar curve starts to form when the child can sit, stand, and walk. This results in a second inward curve (lordosis) in the lower back as the child’s weight-bearing increases.
When these natural curves start to shift, compress, or deteriorate, it can cause more than discomfort. It can lead to nervous system disruption, affecting everything from your ability to think clearly to how much energy you feel daily.
You might wonder, what exactly changes in the nervous system when these spinal curves are altered?
In the cervical spine, there are five layers of muscles and nerves positioned along the front and back of the neck. A loss of the normal lordosis (inward curve) in the neck places stress and strain on these muscles and nerves. It also creates compressive pressure on the intervertebral discs, which act as shock-absorbing structures between the vertebrae. To adapt to this increased pressure, the body responds by tightening the spinal ligaments and increasing bone formation around the spine to stabilise itself.
Research has shown that changes in the nerve curve can influence communication throughout the spine. For example, a study by Deed Harrison and his team examined the impact of forward head translation (FHT) on the central nervous system. The findings revealed that losing the natural cervical curve places considerable stress on the central nervous system, brainstem, cerebellum, and cranial nerves 5-12. This was demonstrated microscopically by comparing the load on the cauda equina (the bundle of nerve roots at the lower end of the spinal cord) between individuals with a normal cervical curve and those with a flattened curve. The results indicated that a flattened cervical spine increases the tensile load on the cauda equina, showing that the cervical curve can affect neurology even in the lumbar spine.
Have you noticed changes to your posture when you look at yourself in a mirror?
Studies show that individuals who lose the normal curve in their cervical spine are 16 times more likely to experience neck pain.
Ready to Reclaim Your Health?
To truly address these changes, a professionally trained chiropractor takes a holistic look at your spine, performing a thorough history and physical examination. Using advanced techniques, they can identify specific areas that may be holding you back from feeling your best and may use x-ray imaging to get a detailed view of your spinal health.