One of the fascinating and often under-appreciated consequences of asymmetry in the human body, which is entirely the ‘norm’ rather than the exception, are the resulting twists (rotations) that accompany side-to-side spinal curves. As this is the ‘norm’ it affects everyone to one degree of another.

Consider this: it’s nigh impossible to grow two legs (feet, tibia, femur) and their two associated halves of the pelvis (a further three bones) that are identical mirror images of each other. Not only will they be different in form (length, breadth, height, mass) but they will also be different in function (left and right handedness, occupational or sporting use, previous injury or disease). Perhaps this is one reason why more than 90% of individuals (for all intents and purposes, everyone) has a side-to-side spinal curve. Of course, there are those with more serious scoliosis of a developmental nature; these are uniquely different and not being considered here.

What is often overlooked is, when the pelvis tips slightly to one side (because of that slightly shortened limb on the same side), the spine will introduce a curve to the opposite side in order to maintain equilibrium. The spinal curve also comes with a twist to the same side, resulting in global rotation of that region of the body. Continuing up the spine, the curve will gently tilt to the other side, maintaining the equilibrium of the head and the plane of the eyes largely level with, and facing the horizon. Likewise, a twist will also accompany this tilt, opposite to the earlier, lower twist.

The end result is that from above, you resemble a subtle corkscrew on two legs; yes that’s right, skewed in 3D! Now factor in right or left handedness, all the other asymmetric activities of life including the anxieties(!), and one can easily see how asymmetric muscle tension patterns develop. To add insult to injury, we tend to slump to one side, favouring the short leg so your body weight is slumped onto the short side, the opposite long knee bent a little and pelvis dropped on that side, spinal curves exaggerated, shoulder dropped, neck tipped. What a predictable picture and what a comfortable slump!

That’s often why your back or neck pain may keep arising in the same place, and becomes an ‘old friend’. Sustained muscle tension and loading patterns result in changed tissue texture and physiology, resulting in pain, which of itself, creates greater tension and loading, and so the positive cycle continues. These ’strain’ patterns are detectable in diagnostic palpation of tissues, engendering tenderness or pain upon pressure. They may be easily traced from the lower limb to the head. They are also modifiable with suitable osteopathic treatment.

That’s why, at Dunedin Osteopathic Clinic, Focused Osteopathic Care strives to identify underlying causes and reasons for your pain, and also why you don’t have to keep endlessly coming for treatment, either because there is a failure to identify the cause by diagnosing the underlying problem (even of the treatment is ‘free’) or because a particular on-going, life-long treatment is advocated as ‘desirable’, in order to achieve the impossible, namely a ‘perfect’ frame.

In fact, a rational osteopathic treatment approach identifies and addresses any minor leg length discrepancy, identifies and addresses asymmetric habitual postures (slumping into your comfortable curves) and educates a heightened perceptual awareness of your body’s asymmetries. A little suitable treatment helps you over the reason for your initial presentation and the prescription of minor, judicious exercise movements on occasion, reinforces improved and more efficient postures.

Once again, there’s a spring to your step. The old pain and stiffness is gone and there are two bonuses; you actually know and understand how to maintain your new found comfort, and you no longer have to worry about on-going care, be it ‘expensive’ or ‘free’!

With the chilly weather of late, the attraction to curl up and hibernate is difficult to resist. In fact, it is nearly impossible to resist! The more you sit about, the colder you’re likely to get; but then you probably already know that, as you reach to turn up the heat pump or crank up the fire.

As unpleasant as it seems, you need to move, and move anyway possible. Movement stokes that metabolic fire, gets more oxygen into your system and produces more heat. You get warmer, and you save yourself some addditional heating costs (no mean feat these days!).

Which, in a round-a-bout way brings me to the necessity of exercise. The truism of ‘do it or lose it’ applies to just about everything your body or mind are capable of doing. Movement is life in every sense and where possible, movement and enjoyment should go together, in this combination being sustainable.

Moderate and enjoyable exercise needs to be conducted at a rate that ensures you speak in clipped sentences, breathing somewhat more heavily. Do this for about 30 minutes daily, over and above your usual activity profile. Brisk walking (or equivalent) fits the bill. The benefits are endless.

For example: live longer and healthier, decreased heart disease, decreased cholesterol, decreased risk of stroke, protection against cancers (colon and breast), reduced risk and better control of type 2 diabetes, help reduce osteoporosis and the risk of falls, reduce depression, anxiety and improve mood, control your weight and establish better mental function. (Harvard School of Public Health) Let’s also not forget to mention a reduced risk of back pain episodes and more effective management of chronic or persistent pain states.

Try it and see.

And remember, a regular 30 minutes a day of brisk walking gains massive benefits over time (a month or two). Try doing it with someone else. That helps let you off the solitary-effort hook. Remember, ensuring that your activity is fun means that it is more likely to be sustainable.

Just celebrate the fact that you’re moving! There’s no need to become an Olympics jock. You’re likely to be around much longer to enjoy the benefits! And if all this is too much to contemplate then consider the minimum amount of activity you’d accept as a plausible possibility and get as many people around you, members of your family and co-workers to acknowledge your commitment to a single half hour session a week. You’re likely to find that this gradually creeps up, particularly when you see what your improved circulation does for your power bills!