Could my posture be making me sick?

For a long time we’ve known that posture can play a huge impact on the emotional, mental and physical bodies. From the way we see or portray ourselves, tall and confidently or slouched and timid, to the effects it has on the muscular system and surrounding tissues,including the ribs, diaphragm, heart and gastrointestinal systems (Chun-Pu Chu & Butler, 2021; Hamasaki, 2020).

However, how often do we look at the effects our posture can have at the smallest level in the body?

Our very cells and our chemical composition are being affected by the way we hold ourselves daily, and potentially the patterns in which we sleep.

CO2 retention, also known as hypercapnia, is often caused by hypoventilation or failure to remove excess CO2 (Patel et el, 2022).

This phenomenon can be seen in a person with a forward head or head down posture (Donina, Danilova & Aleksandrova, 2009)and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, due to the change in musculature used for breathing (Chun-Pu Chu & Butler, 2021).

Elevations of CO2 in the bloodstream can lead to what is known as respiratory acidosis. When CO2 levels are high, the concentration of hydrogen ions in the bloodstream rises, lowering the pH and introducing a state of acidosis (Patel& Sharma, 2022).

The human body functions within a narrow range of pH, temperature, blood pressure, hormonal fluctuations etc known as homeostasis. When our bodies move out of this narrow range, disease and illness becomes not just a possibility, but a probability that could lead to premature death.

Here's the catch, we can quite easily draw the link that breath can affect our cardiorespiratory system, and the way we think (Rasgon & Jarvik, 2004; Steen, Terry & Rivera, 2005), but what you may not be aware of is that CO2 retention can be an optimal starting point for multiple pathologies to occur.

Cancer, diabetes, and even cognitive disease such as Alzheimer's more readily form within cells that are low in pH (acidic) and low in oxygenation (Aoi & Marunaka, 2014) or are already in a form of decay.

This can mean; your desk job, mobile phone use, sleeping with multiple pillows… All of these, without regular exercise to combat the held postures, could be changing the way you breath, the pH of your body & could literally be making you sick in a variety of different ways. Each person is different, so the effects of respiritory acidosis can also vary from person to person.

For further guidance with exercise, breathwork and bodywork, contact your nearest, qualified Neuromuscular Therapist, Massage/Myotherapist, Physiotherapist or Personal Trainer etc.

References:

1. Aoi, W & Marunaka, Y. Importance of pH Homeostasis in Metabolic Health and Diseases: Crucial Role of Membrane Proton Transport. Published online 2014 Sep 11. doi: 10.1155/2014/598986

2. Chun-Pu Chu, E & Butler, K.R. Resolution of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Following Correction for Upper Cross Syndrome—A Case Study and Brief Review. Published online 2021, May 21st. doi: 10.3390/clinpract11020045

3. Donina, Z.A., Danilova, G. & Aleksandrova, N. Effects of body position on the ventilatory response to hypercapnia. Eur J Med Res 14, 63 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-783X-14-S4-63

4. Hamasaki H. Effects of Diaphragmatic Breathing on Health: A Narrative Review. Medicines. 2020; 7(10):65. https://doi.org/10.3390/medicines7100065

5. Patel, S. Miao, J, H. Yetiskul, E. Anokhin, A & Majmundar, S, H. Physiology, Carbon Dioxide Retention. January 4, 2022, retrieved Nov 20, 2022.

6. Patel, S.& Sharma, S. Respiratory Acidosis. StatPearls Publishing, 2021.Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482430/

7. Rasgon, N & Jarvik, L. Insulin resistance, affective disorders, and alzheimer’s disease: review and hypothesis. The Journals of Gerontology A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. 2004

8. Steen, E. Terry B, M. & Rivera E, J. Impaired insulin and insulin-like growth factor expression and signaling mechanisms in Alzheimer’s disease: is this type 3 diabetes? Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease. 2005.