Neck. Keeping your Spine in Correct Alignment

The expression of beauty is not only a privilege granted to artists and musicians. The beauty of the body is expressed through physiological functioning and health. When we say a person is beautiful, we imagine a body with smooth curves of the back, but if the curvature of the spine is excessive, the “hump” becomes ugly. On the other hand, a perfectly flat back seems distasteful to us as well. The idea of beauty is best explained by the concept of health: a spine with the correct form easily bears vibrations and variations in the gait while walking by absorbing them through its curves. It’s hard to imagine the bumps and blows that would be transmitted to the spinal cord and to the brain if it wasn’t for the curve of the spine.

Healthy discs can only be maintained in a spine with the right curves. The discs between the vertebrae are complex structures, each having an extremely elastic cartilage core. Like tennis balls, discs bounce and are able to soften the blows that occur during movement. The core is located in the center of each disc. If the curvature of the spine is correct, pressure is evenly distributed inside the disc and the core remains centered. 

If the normal curvature of the spineis altered, for example, if you suddenly bend from the lower back, the tension in the disc will become uneven. One of its parts will become over-stressed and may even crack. The core of the disc can then begin to bulge out through this crack and results in a herniated disc. The bulging portion of the disc then pushes against spinal nerves and back pain results. 

Now you know why sleeping on a hard bed is so uncomfortable. Some people even try sleeping on the floor or on wooden planks in an effort to find relief from pain and muscle spasms. It’s completely unnatural! After sleeping on immovable surfaces like this you’ll feel like you’re an unfortunate character from “The Princess and the Pea.”  Completely drained and unrefreshed. The reason for this is you’ve violated the natural curvature of your spine. The curves will have been forcibly “straightened” by a surface that is too flat and too hard. 

The isometric-static exercise program supports the natural and correct curves of the spine. At the same time, isometric exercises do not overload the spine or force it out of alignment, causing disc and joint degeneration. 

Advice

In order to maintain the correct curvature of the spine while doing isometric-static exercises, use special simple tools. For example, support your neck or lower back with your own hand or with a tightly rolled up towel. Similar tricks can be used to prevent back pain in your everyday routines. Support your back every chance you get: while sitting in your car during rush hour or while sitting at your desk at work.

These isometric-static-positional exercises will develop and help maintain the natural curves of your spine and will also strengthen the stabilizing discs of your vertebrae.

Summary

• In order to ensure a healthy back and neck, the correct curvature of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine must be maintained.
• Static-isometric exercise maintains the natural, correct curvature of the spine.
• Isometric exercise is aimed at training the natural form of the spine and maintaining correct posture.