Your posture has been the center of attention ever since you started to walk. Stand up straight, sit up – we have all probably heard that at one time or another. It usually came from one parent or another, maybe even possibly both. Little did we know back then just how much that may have actually helped us. Your posture impacts more than just your spine, it has a ripple effect on your entire life. Our spines house and protect the entire nervous system. Our nervous system controls and coordinates the function of everything within the body. Poor neck posture changes the biomechanics of the spine and the way your body functions.

Did you know that for every inch your head moves forward, it is equivalent to adding 10 pounds that the neck muscles must hold up? As you are reading this, you may be staring down at a screen either in your hand or at your desk – as that is happening, your head is taken off the vertical plane and bent forward up to 45 degrees. If you do this for most of the day, the results can be excruciating. Below is a list of health issues that your posture may be contributing to.

1. Headaches

Forward or anterior head carriage is when the head is too far forward in relationship from the opening of the ear canal over the top of the shoulder. When the head moves too far forward, it results in immense pressure on the spinal nerves and muscles. With increased pressure on the nerves, especially in the upper part of the neck, symptoms like headaches occur. 95% of headaches are a result of neck problems.

2. Dizziness/ Vertigo

As the forward head carriage gets worse, further dysfunction within the upper cervical spine occurs and can result in vertigo or dizziness.

3. Neck Pain/Arm Pain

As stated earlier; for every inch your head moves forward it is adding an extra 10 pounds of weight that the neck muscles must account for. As the head continues to slowly move forward over time this also adds pressure and tension to the brachial plexus which sends nerves down the arms into the hands.

So what can you do to improve your posture?

1. Limit your time on electronic devices creating forward head posture (to avoid getting “Tech Neck”)
2. Reset your postural alignment each day by resting on a heated neck roll or sleeping on a pillow that will place the neck in proper alignment while you sleep.
3. Routinely visit your chiropractor. When it comes to your posture a chiropractor will identify the musculoskeletal stress on your spine and put together a course of action to help correct the posture and remove the stress to the nervous system.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) afflicts an estimated three to four million children. It is most often thought of as a medical disorder requiring medical treatment, namely mind-altering drugs such as Ritalin or Adderall.
There is no standard definition or standard of treatment for ADHD. The psychologist sees a mental disorder, the medical doctor looks at a neurochemical imbalance, the neurologist perceives a brain dysfunction, and the teacher observes a discipline problem. Then they attempt to treat these symptoms from their perspective, while failing to see the whole picture. While each therapy has some limited success in certain cases, they are puzzled at their failures when extending their treatment to all cases.

When looking to get better results for your treatment of ADHD you should address all 3 major aspects which include the following…

1.Physical

A recent study from Harvard showed that when people who adopted powerful postures (open shoulders and straight spines) had a 20% increase in testosterone levels and a 25% decrease in cortisol levels—but people who slouched had a 10% decrease in testosterone and a 15% increase in cortisol. That translates into low self-confidence and high stress. In a second study from San Francisco State University, students were told to either walk down a hall in a slouched position or to skip. The slouchers reported increased feelings of depression and lower energy than skippers. It is clear to see change your posture, change your health. Since Chiropractors focus on correcting vertebral subluxations and their affects on the nervous system, proper Chiropractic care can be a vital part in improving the lives of those with ADHD.

2.Biochemical

This area is best treated with a strict diet. Things to avoid if you or a loved one is suffering with ADHD.

• Dairy – An individual who is sensitive to dairy products may feel tired both physically and mentally.
• Sugar – A diet high in sugar can cause flair up in patients with ADHD.
• Food Additives – Artificial colors and flavoring found in products such as frozen pizza and potato chips should be avoided.
• Caffeine – A natural stimulant known to trigger ADHD symptoms.
• Fish high in mercury such as swordfish.
• Chocolate – Has high amounts of both sugar and caffeine.
• Yellow Vegetables such as corn or squash. Bananas are ok as only the peel is yellow and the actual banana is white.
• Fruit Juices that are loaded with artificial colors and flavors.
• Fast Food.

3. Neurological

The root cause in many cases of ADHD is often related to malfunctioning in the Brain Reward Cascade. Humans very survival is dependent on the drive for pleasure. Whether eating, loving, working, or playing, the sense of pleasure is derived from the release of the neurotransmitter dopamine in the nervous system. This results in the “natural reward” of pleasure. When there is an insufficiency of dopamine production or transportation, it requires ever increasing stimulation to achieve a sense of satisfaction. This can be seen in the hyperactive response of those with ADHD. Consider how people respond positively to safety, warmth and a full stomach. If these needs are threatened or are not being met, we experience discomfort and anxiety. It has been found that the primary reward centers are in the amygdala, the nucleus accumbens, and the hypothalamus of the brain, along with the dorsal roots of the spinal nerves, and the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.  Researchers at Harvard Medical School’s Department of Neuro-Biology have discovered that there are neurons in the spinal cord which project directly to the amygdala and the orbital cortex. These neurons transfer somatosensory information which ultimately affects one’s autonomic, endocrine, and behavioral functions. When the limbic system (especially the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the dorsal nerve roots) is free of interference, only then can it function normally. When out of balance, the Brain Reward Cascade does not function properly and the symptoms of Reward Deficiency Syndrome including ADHD appear. In fact, this link between the spine, brain stem dysfunction and ADHD is common. A thorough chiropractic examination can reveal noticeable spinal distortion, even a reversal of the normal neck curve. This is why children and adults who suffer with ADHD should look to add safe and natural chiropractic adjustments to help reduce the accompanying nervous system tension.