Emotions influence our mind and body reactions. Happy emotions produce smiles. Sad emotions produce frowns. These reactions are
the outer reactions we most commonly see. What
about other emotional, inner reactions? Researchers are examining
these. A recent study regarding emotions and back muscle
reactions captured the eye of Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre who
cares for many Toronto back pain sufferers. It is a
reminder to consider the whole person - mind and body! – and to
sit upright.
EMOTIONS AFFECT POSTURE
When someone is depressed or just in a down mood,
what does their body usually look like? Slumped forward,
eyes to the ground, tired? We’ve all seen this.
Upright posture does so much to improve positivity and decrease
fatigue and anxiety. (1) Body posture may well influence emotional
reactions! An interesting development regarding the the relationship between muscular states and emotions,
researchers discovered that upright seated postures are beneficial.
Upright seated posture as opposed to a slumped seated
posture was noted to improve self-esteem, arousal, and
mood as well as decrease fear. Linguists found that
slumped posture people used more negative emotion words and fewer words than upright posture
people. They therefore recommended in their study to sit
upright when in a stressful situation as it can keep self-esteem in check, reduce focus
on self, lower negative mood and create
a positive mood. Speech rate increased, too. Sitting
upright may be a means to foster
resilience to stress. (2) Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre sees firsthand how
emotions affect Toronto chiropractic patients, particularly
Toronto
back pain patients who are stressed and down.
NEGATIVE EMOTIONS AFFECT BACK MUSCLES
For back pain sufferers – who are certainly not
immune to a sad mood! – body responses like slumping
are not unusual. In an electromyographic study of back
muscles, it was found that
negative emotions increased differential back muscle activity
while positive emotions didn’t. The muscles were undisturbed, not having to react at all. (3) While healing, the back pain
sufferer’s spine doesn’t
need any more stimuli. Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre offers gentle Toronto
chiropractic spinal manipulation via Cox®
Technic to relax its muscles and reduce its pain.
CONTACT Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The Back
Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he shares the
benefits of the Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management benefits aback
pain patient’s spine, muscle, and system.
Make your Toronto
chiropractic appointment today. If stress or emotions compel you
to slump and aggravate your back pain,
Yorkville Chiropractic and Wellness Centre is here to lessen the pain, prompt you
to sit up straight (like your parents used to say!), and find
a way to make you smile!