A person walking with good posture says, “I own this space, I have purpose” They look more alert and more ‘with it’. As studies show that brain blood flow and neck function are correlated, this may in fact be true. A good neck curve and posture have been shown to have many health benefits. A study in 2012 (cited below), looked at the flow of blood in the brain, measured with SPECT, and how this was associated with neck pain and dysfunction, measured by Neck Disability Index scores. What they found was that there was a significant difference between subjects and better neck function and lordosis (proper curve) was associated with more blood to the brain, specifically in the parietal lobe, which takes in all the sensory information from the rest of the body and environment, and the frontal lobe, where our movement, personality, humour and decision-making happens. 1 Other Studies have found: There is a relationship between neck pain and forward head posture, in adults and older adults. 2 That an improved neck curve also improves neck pain in patients. 3 That it is cervical lordosis that is associated with neck disability and pain and disc degeneration more so than forward head posture. 4 Severe forward head posture increased the activities of the accessory breathing muscles and decreased the forced vital capacity. (our ability to breathe). 5 F orward head posture and neck muscle and joint activity can be part of the clinical picture in vertigo and dizziness. 6 Correcting the cervical curve improves brain blood perfusion. 7 Now we know it's important, how did we lose our neck curve? More importantly, how do we get it back? The maintenance of the curve of our neck is a result of the health and action of the muscles that hold the curve, and this muscle tone is a function of the nerve supply to the muscle. The quality of the nerve flow to the muscle depends on the quality of feedforward of nerve supply from the joint and muscles of the neck back to the brain. It is a loop. Poor information starts to flow through this loop after an injury, or persistent poor habits such as slouching and looking down at a book or phone. (Or forced persistent poor postures required at work) All these things alter the conditioning of the muscles. If you don't use it, you lose it. Typically, when you lose your neck curve, what you are losing is your neck extensor tone and your deep neck flexor tone. According to one study's result, patients with the loss of cervical lordosis have reduced neck muscle strength, especially in the extensors. These findings may be beneficial for optimizing cervical exercise prescriptions. 8 A combination of neck mobilization, Chiropractic adjustment and exercises can improve neck function, muscle tone and coordination and ... the neck curve. Professional (Qualified) help is a must, and a Chiropractor , Physiotherapist, Exercise Physiologist and Osteopath are all trained to assist. 9 Yours in Health, Karissa Stallwood References 1. Bakhtadze MA, Vernon H, Karalkin AV, Pasha SP, Tomashevskiy IO, Soave D. Cerebral perfusion in patients with chronic neck and upper back pain: preliminary observations. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012 Feb;35(2):76-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jmpt.2011.12.006. Epub 2012 Jan 16. PMID: 22257946. 2. Mahmoud NF, Hassan KA, Abdelmajeed SF, Moustafa IM, Silva AG. The Relationship Between Forward Head Posture and Neck Pain: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2019 Dec;12(4):562-577. doi: 10.1007/s12178-019-09594-y. PMID: 31773477; PMCID: PMC6942109. 3. Lee MY, Jeon H, Choi JS, Park Y, Ryu JS. Efficacy of Modified Cervical and Shoulder Retraction Exercise in Patients With Loss of Cervical Lordosis and Neck Pain. Ann Rehabil Med. 2020 Jun;44(3):210-217. doi: 10.5535/arm.19117. Epub 2020 May 29. PMID: 32475094; PMCID: PMC7349041. 4. Lee HJ, Jeon DG, Park JH. Correlation between kinematic sagittal parameters of the cervical lordosis or head posture and disc degeneration in patients with posterior neck pain. Open Med (Wars). 2021 Jan 22;16(1):161-168. doi: 10.1515/med-2021-0219. PMID: 33585691; PMCID: PMC7862998. 5. Kang JI, Jeong DK, Choi H. Correlation between pulmonary functions and respiratory muscle activity in patients with forward head posture. J Phys Ther Sci. 2018 Jan;30(1):132-135. doi: 10.1589/jpts.30.132. Epub 2018 Jan 27. PMID: 29410583; PMCID: PMC5788792. 6. Sung YH. Suboccipital Muscles, Forward Head Posture, and Cervicogenic Dizziness. Medicina (Kaunas). 2022 Dec 5;58(12):1791. doi: 10.3390/medicina58121791. PMID: 36556992; PMCID: PMC9786116. 7. Katz EA, Katz SB, Fedorchuk CA, Lightstone DF, Banach CJ, Podoll JD. Increase in cerebral blood flow indicated by increased cerebral arterial area and pixel intensity on brain magnetic resonance angiogram following correction of cervical lordosis. Brain Circ. 2019 Jan-Mar;5(1):19-26. doi: 10.4103/bc.bc_25_18. Epub 2019 Mar 27. PMID: 31001596; PMCID: PMC6458772. 8. Alpayci M, Şenköy E, Delen V, Şah V, Yazmalar L, Erden M, Toprak M, Kaplan Ş. Decreased neck muscle strength in patients with the loss of cervical lordosis. Clin Biomech (Bristol). 2016 Mar;33:98-102. doi: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2016.02.014. Epub 2016 Feb 27. PMID: 26970701 9. Chau C, Chu EC, Huang KH, Tam D, Cheung G. Remission of Dowager's hump by manipulative correction of spinal alignment: a case report. J Med Life. 2023 Jun;16(6):957-962. doi: 10.25122/jml-2023-0026. PMID: 37675179; PMCID: PMC10478669.

Kelli has been part of the health and wellbeing industry for nearly 30 years, and her passion for helping others has only grown stronger with time. As a massage therapist with 28 years of experience, she had the privilege of working in 5-star resorts, health spas, retreats, and private practice. From community members to elite athletes, Kelli supported a wide range of clients, helping them find relief, relaxation, and restoration. Kelli is trained in several massage modalities, including Relaxing Swedish Massage Hot Stone Therapy Deep Tissue Massage Sports Massage Aromatherapy Recently, she has developed a deep interest in meditation and mindfulness and is currently studying for a Diploma in Meditation and Mindfulness. Once Kelli completes her studies, she will be offering one-on-one consultations to help others cultivate inner peace and balance. Kelli is also excited to introduce Art Therapy sessions soon, as a way to further nurture healing and self-expression. Kelli can be contacted directly for massage therapy by appointment at the Mary Street Specialist Centre. If you’re ready to experience relaxation and rejuvenation, please call or text her on 0414 591 112 to book your appointment.

Our new fundraising goal from July to December 2024 is to raise money for these beautiful children.

Move your spine for World Spine Day

Update of our Breast Cancer fundraising for 2023. We raised a total of $293.50 in 5 months.

Biggest Morning Tea 26th June 2023

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Who else feels like 2022 has gone in a blast??!

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