Prevention and possible remedies.
We often hear about the benefits of active living to keep us healthy and live longer. But we hear less about the benefits of good posture on our overall health and the inevitable aging process.
A healthy musculoskeletal system is essential whether standing, moving or sitting. To maximize a healthy constitution, certain preventive measures can be taken as soon as the child is standing. At this stage, special attention may be given to the examination of the lower limb, pelvis and spine. This analysis can be completed by an osteopathic examination validating the absence of tension in the viscera, the cranio-sacral system and the mobility of the spine which will have an effect on the alignment of the body. By intervening early in the child’s life, it is possible to limit or even eliminate the problems that may arise when the gait system is stabilized with corrective inserts.
The following is an example of how neglect can have a negative impact on long-term development. Consider a child whose right foot is placed in a valgus position or whose leg is shorter because of a tilt of the pelvis related to a back problem or a torsion of the neck induced by a severe manipulation at the exit of the canal during the birth of the child.
During this child’s growth, no follow-up or correction was made, so that the knee ended up in a valgus position, with the femoral head in internal rotation in the acetabulum. The pelvis is thus projected in anteversion which will cause a lumbar hyper-extension accompanied by pain. A single problem would have consequences in three places. The spine adapts to the pelvic problem by showing a scoliosis.
This chain of problems will go almost unnoticed in adolescence but will have major consequences at the age when the muscle tone will weaken. At this stage, the muscular system no longer works in synergy with the spine and a weakened psoas will cause anteversion of the pelvis; pain when mobilizing the lower limbs will be more and more present, as will pain in the lower back.
Even if we can’t intervene in childhood, there are a number of possible remedies. For example, around the age of 50, some lower back pain could be avoided by using corrective or compensatory foot orthotics in the case of postural asymmetry or plantar arch collapse in the case of foot arch collapse.
An active lifestyle and healthy posture is an important factor in achieving and maintaining a good quality of life. Prevention is often the best remedy.
