Romo Chiropractic Blog

Posts for tag: spine

By To Your Health March, 2015 (Vol. 09, Issue 03)
March 04, 2015
Category: Back Pain
Tags: Chiropractic   disc   lower back pain   spine  

Doctors of chiropractic are known for treating low back pain – and preventing its recurrence – and recent research emphasizes the science underlying their effectiveness. A recent study suggests chiropractic care (spinal manipulation) can reduce Lower Back Pain, but it also suggests chiropractic can increase spinal disc height.


That's good to know no matter your age and the condition of your spine. Talk to your doctor of chiropractic for more information. A healthy spine means a healthy you!

By Stephanie Earls, The Colorado Gazette
April 14, 2014
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: Chiropractic   health   spine   posture   joints   muscle   sitting  
Chiropractors know that mom was right all along when she told us to "stand up straight." But now there's empirical evidence to give even more weight to her command. Good posture is essential to mental as well as physical health, keeping bones and joints aligned while boosting confidence. In fact, posture has been shown to have a greater influence on a person's feelings of power than his or her job title or position. 
In a 2012 Harvard study, participants who spent a few minutes in private "power posing" performed better in high-stakes mock meetings and interviews.  Slouching one's shoulders, not surprisingly, may have the opposite effect, lowering self-esteem. 
"Posture, power and health can be defined by the spine," by Stephanie Earls, The Colorado Gazette, November 26, 2013.
March 24, 2014
Category: Uncategorized
Tags: leg   back   spine   lumbar   muscles   radicula   chiropractic ligament  











Chiropractors have long been known as “bone doctors” that help with neck and back pain.  Many don’t know that chiropractic can also help with bone issues that don’t involve pain… like osteoporosis.  Osteoporosis has been called a “silent killer” because there are no symptoms to alert someone to the condition, and because osteoporotic fractures often lead to reduced mobility and early death.

From the chiropractic perspective, osteoporosis isn’t a disease; it is an intelligent adaptation to altered biomechanics or nutrition.  Our bones are living matter that are constantly remodeling throughout our entire lives.  In addition our bones store calcium which it uses as structural support, and release calcium back into the blood for necessary bodily functions like the relaxation of muscle fibres.  We have an innate intelligence that designed our bones to take what calcium it needs to support ourselves structurally and hormones to keep our blood calcium in necessary concentrations.  The core factors determining bone density is the availability of building blocks and the body’s blueprint for calcium deposition into the bone.

The building block for bone density is calcium, which we should be getting from our diet.  In nature, calcium is present with other co-factors that are necessary for digestion, absorption, and deposition of calcium, such as Vitamin D, Magnesium, Manganese, Selenium, etc.  Not all vitamins are created equal.  Calcium carbonate, the most common (least expensive) form of calcium in vitamins, is the least digestible form.  Calcium citrate is a better option.  Digestion and absorption are also dependent on overall nutrition, pH of the body, digestive system health, and age.

The way calcium is deposited into the bone is dependent on what’s called “Wolff’s Law.”  Calcium is deposited in the bone where the weight is greatest.  Therefore, if bones are aligned properly, the calcium becomes deposited evenly around the bone.  The more weight-bearing exercise done, the more calcium is deposited in the bones.  If, however, the bones are misaligned, then the calcium supports the areas under excess stress, even forming bone spurs on one side and leaching calcium from the other side.  Over time, this adaptation to abnormal stress results in both osteoarthritis (bone spurs) and osteoporosis on the rest of the bone.

Chiropractic, therefore, operates on 4 levels to reverse the process of osteoporosis.

  1. Chiropractors look at your nutrition and make suggestions, which may include consultation with a holistic nutritionist or naturopath.
  2. Chiropractic adjustments over time align the bones better to stop further deposition of calcium into spurs and osteoporosis.
  3. Chiropractic adjustments to the entire spine help the entire nervous system and musculoskeletal system such that the circulation, digestion, hormones, and immunity can be improved and functioning at its best.
  4. Chiropractors also advise on lifestyle changes, including posture, stretches and exercises to support the body in healing, proper alignment and optimum functioning.
By Dr. Edgar Romo
June 13, 2013
Category: Uncategorized


Tips to Maintain Good Posture

We often hear that good posture is essential for good health. We recognize poor posture when we see it formed as a result of bad habits carried out over years and evident in many adults. But only few people have a real grasp of the importance and necessity of good posture.

What is posture?
Posture is the position in which we hold our bodies while standing, sitting, or lying down. Good posture is the correct alignment of body parts supported by the right amount of muscle tension against gravity. Without posture and the muscles that control it, we would simply fall to the ground.

Normally, we do not consciously maintain normal posture. Instead, certain muscles do it for us, and we don't even have to think about it. Several muscle groups, including the hamstrings and large back muscles, are critically important in maintaining good posture. While the ligaments help to hold the skeleton together, these postural muscles, when functioning properly, prevent the forces of gravity from pushing us over forward. Postural muscles also maintain our posture and balance during movement.

Why is good posture important?
Good posture helps us stand, walk, sit, and lie in positions that place the least strain on supporting muscles and ligaments during movement and weight-bearing activities.

Correct posture: Helps us keep bones and joints in correct alignment so that our muscles are used correctly, decreasing the abnormal wearing of joint surfaces that could result in degenerative arthritis and joint pain.  It reduces the stress on the ligaments holding the spinal joints together, minimizing the likelihood of injury. Also allows muscles to work more efficiently, allowing the body to use less energy and, therefore, preventing muscle fatigue. Finally it helps prevent muscle strain, overuse disorders, and even back and muscular pain.


Consequences of poor posture
Poor posture can lead to excessive strain on our postural muscles and may even cause them to relax, when held in certain positions for long periods of time. For example, you can typically see this in people who bend forward at the waist for a prolonged time in the workplace. Their postural muscles are more prone to injury and back pain.

Several factors contribute to poor posture-most commonly, stress, obesity, pregnancy, weak postural muscles, abnormally tight muscles, and high-heeled shoes. In addition, decreased flexibility, a poor work environment, incorrect working posture, and unhealthy sitting and standing habits can also contribute to poor body positioning.

How do I sit properly?


How do I stand properly?

  • Bear your weight primarily on the balls of your feet.
  • Keep your knees slightly bent.
  • Keep your feet about shoulder-width apart.
  • Stand straight and tall with your shoulders pulled backward.
  • Tuck your stomach in.

What is the proper lying position?

  • Avoid sleeping on your stomach.
  • If you sleep on your side, place a pillow between your legs.
  • If you sleep on your back, keep a pillow under your knees.
  • Can I correct my poor posture?

In a word, yes. Remember, however, that long-standing postural problems will typically take longer to address than short-lived ones, as often the joints have adapted to your long-standing poor posture. Conscious awareness of your own posture and knowing what posture is correct will help you consciously correct yourself. With much practice, the correct posture for standing, sitting, and lying down will gradually replace your old posture. This, in turn, will help you move toward a better and healthier body position.

Your doctor of chiropractic can assist you with proper posture, including recommending exercises to strengthen your core postural muscles. He or she can also assist you with choosing proper postures during your activities, helping reduce your risk of injury.