The Causes of Spinal Instability
Repeated or Accumulated Micro-trauma, as indicated previously, is a consequence of wear and tear. Many in the medical community feel that this is normal wear and tear associated with age.Our view at Progressive is that it is abnormal wear and tear caused by ergonomically and anatomically incorrect repeated stresses over time. These stresses gradually stretch and tear the supporting structures of the spine until they can no longer provide adequate support.
A good example of this is a bulldozer operator. The constant vibration and jolting of this occupation, compounded by sitting which places twice the force on the spine as standing, fatigues the supporting tissues of the spine and gradually inflicts micro-trauma faster than the body can repair it.
Poor Posture is really a subclass of accumulated micro-trauma. Back problems caused from poor posture are especially prevalent in Americans. We have become a relatively sedentary society. We sit more than anyone. We sit to watch television. We sit at our computers. We sit when we drive and Americans, in general, drive more than the rest of the world.
This excessive sitting is not without consequence, especially, in clerical or other 'desk' jobs where we sit virtually all day, only to leave and get in our car and sit again. In this case, we literally 'mold to our sitting posture'. Our heads move forward. Our shoulders round forward. Our upper back humps back. Our hamstrings tighten up. Our hip flexors tighten and our low back may increase or decrease its natural curve. Our muscle fiber orientation is skewed and thus less effective. We gradually "Creep" into what we call a 'little old lady posture'. Yes, indeed, "Creep" as a result of poor posture even makes us look older.
As a result of our devotion to the computer, our backs are deteriorating at younger and younger ages and we are looking older, sooner. There are many cosmetic problems that are caused at least in part to "Creep". A turkey neck, for example, is mostly the result of the head moving forward over time and the excess skin hanging down like a turkey's neck. This unsightly skin flap is but the fingerprint of severe and destructive changes that are occurring in the spine.
By the time a person's posture has deteriorated to Phase 2, 3 transition zones have developed at the apex of the spinal curves. Problems may occur at any of the 3 or at multiple transitions zones simultaneously, but problems in the neck region are most common in females and problems in the low back are most common in males. Neck problems most commonly manifest themselves as bony arthritic changes. Low back problems most commonly manifest themselves as disc degeneration. However either or both may manifest themselves at any or all of the transition zones.(3)