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Maintaining a neutral spine posture aligns the three main curves of the back, reducing the risk of spinal problems. The cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves are important for proper weight and force distribution, and poor posture can lead to discomfort or damage to the spine. It’s important to keep the spine neutral to ensure spinal health.
Neutral spine is a healthy back posture in which the three main curves of the back are properly aligned. Maintaining a neutral spine posture can greatly reduce the risk of some spinal problems, such as curvature or damage that can result from poor posture. While many proponents of good posture insist that you keep your back straight, it’s important to remember that your spine itself isn’t straight. There are several curves in the spine that must be properly maintained and aligned to ensure back health. These curves, when properly aligned, allow for the best distribution of weight and force through the spine and other connected bony structures.
The three primary curves of the spine are known as the cervical curve, thoracic curve, and lumbar curve. The cervical curve is near the top of the spine, near the neck; it holds the head up and prevents it from falling too far forward. When the neck is bent too far forward, movement of the head is limited and neck pain may result. The condition in which the curve in the neck is reduced and the spine straightened is known as cervical kyphosis. Maintaining a neutral spine posture can greatly reduce the risk of cervical kyphosis which, in severe cases, can be quite painful and damaging to the spine.
The thoracic curve is in the middle of the back; It is much larger than the cervical curve and curves in the opposite direction. The lumbar curve is near the bottom of the spine. It curves backwards similar to the cervical curve. Cervical, thoracic, and lumbar curves are important for proper weight and force distribution, and the neutral spine helps ensure everyone remains in healthy positions.
Many different problems can arise when the neutral spine is not maintained, important spinal curves are not in their proper places, and the distribution of weight and force through the spine is not as it should be. Poor posture can lead to discomfort or damage to the spine, especially when walking, as the shock that occurs with each step is distributed unevenly across the back and body. Sitting for many hours at a time can also lead to back problems, as people tend to slouch or compromise their posture after long periods of time.
It is not necessarily possible to keep the spine neutral at all times. This is particularly true when one is engaged in various sporting activities like bicycling or wrestling. However, whether standing, sitting or lying down, it is important to keep the spine neutral to ensure spinal health.
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