The brain and its many complex functions require a constant supply of oxygen. Oxygen is delivered in the form of oxygenated blood, transported through neck and head by the vertebral and carotid arteries.
Focusing on our bodies
The carotid arteries along the front and side of the neck and the vertebral arteries along with the spine supply blood to the neck, head, face, and brain, distributing oxygen to billions of neurons.
When the blood flow is cut off the brain (Ischemia), healthy brain functioning is quickly at risk. Cerebral blood flow, as is revealed in a relevant study, is determined by several factors:
- Blood viscosity,
- the net pressure of the flow of blood into the brain, and
- how dilated blood vessels are.
It’s all about the blood
Cerebral blood vessels are able to change the flow of blood through autoregulation, constricting and dilating the diameter of the blood vessel to adjust to changing levels of blood pressure.
The vertebral arteries, as well as the branches of the basilar arteries, that penetrate the brainstem, are common sites of blockages (occlusion), the narrowing or cutting off of blood flow to the brain.
What posture has to do with it
Poor posture as strong curvatures in the spine like Lordosis and Scoliosis can cause an environment of chronic hardened and shortened muscles in the neck leading up to the skull.
When the spine is contracted or curved the body’s tendency is to lift the chin and tilt the head upwards in order to still view the world on eye level. This upward tilt creates shortening and contraction in the muscles around the cervical spine. The tense environment will further restrict the oxygen supply.
For example, the “beauty parlor syndrome”, an ischemic attack or stroke, occurred while several older women had their hair washed at a beauty parlor. It could be explained with the strong restrictive angle their head was in for the duration of the hair treatment cutting of the vital blood supply to the brain.
The inhibited blood flow will reduce the oxygen supply to the brain and thus will reduce brain functions to a lesser or larger extent. Memory and brain capacity depend on good oxygen supply to the brain.
How to keep a good posture
To maintain a balanced and upright natural posture is vital to having a relaxed and extended neck. The neck is just the “pinnacle ”of posture all posture starts in the ground contact through the feet.
Pelvic floor activity and core connection are the next building blocks for a natural and relaxed posture. Neutral pelvic orientation and strong core allow the spinal muscles to stabilize the body structure with almost no effort. The spinal extension can only be maintained through a functioning stable base in the lower half of the body.
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