Erik Dalton Bodywork Training Blog

“For every inch of Forward Head Posture, it can increase the weight of the head
on the spine by an additional 10 pounds.” Kapandji, Physiology of Joints, Vol. 3

It’s not uncommon to have clients walk into your office sporting a 12 pound head that’s migrated three inches forward of their shoulders. You know prior to palpation that their cervical extensors (semispinalis, splenii, longissimus and upper traps) are in a losing battle attempting to isometrically restrain 42 pounds against the unrelenting force of gravity.

The effects of poor posture go far beyond just looking awkward. In fact, the January, 2004 issue of the American Journal of Pain Management reported on the relationship of poor posture and chronic pain conditions including low back pain, neck related headaches, and stress-related illnesses. “The extra pressure imposed on the neck from poor posture flattens the normal cervical curve resulting in abnormal strain on muscles, ligaments, fascia and bones.”2 Research presented at the 31st Annual International Conference of the IEEE EMBS Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, (2009) stated; “Over time poor posture results in pain, muscle aches, tension and headache and can lead to long term complications such as osteoarthritis. Forward head carriage may promote accelerated aging of intervertebral joints resulting in degenerative joint disease.”3 (Fig.3). It appears posture impacts and modulates all bodily functions from breathing to hormonal production. Spinal pain, headache, mood, blood pressure, pulse and lung capacity are among the many conditions influenced by faulty posture.

To read the rest of the newsletter article… VISIT THIS LINK

Erik Dalton, Ph.D. has been scheduled to be a main presenter at a pre-conference webinar on April 21st, and the World Massage Spring Conference on June 7th and 8th, 2010.

You are invited to attend a FREE live pre-conference broadcast with Erik Dalton who’s going to be discussing the “The 42 Pound Head: Fixing Funky Necks”. This graphic presentation will address ways to assess and correct forward head postures. Often seen as a structurally subtle body segment, the neck is burdened with the challenging task of supporting and moving the human head. Correction of forward head and Upper Crossed neck posture is the key to stopping and reversing degenerative joint disease and pain from headaches, rib dysfunction, TMJ and Dowager’s Humps.

When treating functional problems related to forward head postures a therapist must look beyond the symptoms and the artificial dividing of the body into systems and treat the whole. Participants will learn:
1. To visually recognize pain-generating patterns through postural and gait analysis.
2. How proprioceptive signals from the upper cervical complex regulate endorphins…the body’s pain-controlling chemicals.
3. Articular mobilization routines to restore joint-play to upper cervical fixated facets.
4. Structural integrative soft tissue work to correct degenerative changes and relieve head, neck, rib, TMJ and Dowager’s Hump pain.

After the one hour presentation there will be a 30 minute video featuring some of Erik’s favorite assessments and corrections for clients presenting with pain-related forward head postures. You can submit questions for Erik at anytime before or during the broadcast. In addition, you’ll be able to chat with Erik personally via our online chat immediately following the presentation.

Reserve your space in the pre-conference broadcast now by Clicking HERE
Register for this pre-conference broadcast and you’ll also receive a free certificate for completion for continuing education purposes. (value for NCBTMB: 1.5 CEs)

Then in June… Erik Dalton and dozens of the top massage experts from around the world will be in your living room as part of the largest event in massage history. The World Massage Conference is an international, web-based, online conference. For a limited time you can register for the Spring 2010 conference and get the Fall Conference for FREE.

I am very honored and pleased to be a part of the upcoming World Massage Conference. I will be doing a pre-conference broadcast on April 21… and then the main conference on June 8th. For details and to listen to an audio announcement… CLICK HERE

Purchase the Spring World Massage Conference and get the Fall Conference for FREE!

Erik Dalton, Ph.D. has been scheduled to be a main presenter at a pre-conference webinar on April 21st, and the World Massage Spring Conference on June 7th and 8th, 2010.

You are invited to attend a FREE live pre-conference broadcast with Erik Dalton who’s going to be discussing the “The 42 Pound Head: Fixing Funky Necks”. This graphic presentation will address ways to assess and correct forward head postures. Often seen as a structurally subtle body segment, the neck is burdened with the challenging task of supporting and moving the human head. Correction of forward head and Upper Crossed neck posture is the key to stopping and reversing degenerative joint disease and pain from headaches, rib dysfunction, TMJ and Dowager’s Humps.

When treating functional problems related to forward head postures a therapist must look beyond the symptoms and the artificial dividing of the body into systems and treat the whole. Participants will learn:
1. To visually recognize pain-generating patterns through postural and gait analysis.
2. How proprioceptive signals from the upper cervical complex regulate endorphins…the body’s pain-controlling chemicals.
3. Articular mobilization routines to restore joint-play to upper cervical fixated facets.
4. Structural integrative soft tissue work to correct degenerative changes and relieve head, neck, rib, TMJ and Dowager’s Hump pain.

After the one hour presentation there will be a 30 minute video featuring some of Erik’s favorite assessments and corrections for clients presenting with pain-related forward head postures. You can submit questions for Erik at anytime before or during the broadcast. In addition, you’ll be able to chat with Erik personally via our online chat immediately following the presentation.

Reserve your space in the pre-conference broadcast now by Clicking HERE
Register for this pre-conference broadcast and you’ll also receive a free certificate for completion for continuing education purposes. (value for NCBTMB: 1.5 CEs)

Then in June… Erik Dalton and dozens of the top massage experts from around the world will be in your living room as part of the largest event in massage history. The World Massage Conference is an international, web-based, online conference. For a limited time you can register for the Spring 2010 conference and get the Fall Conference for free.

Register for Spring Conference... Get Fall Conference FREE!

Put together some clips from the Myoskeletal Alignment for Low Back, Hip and Leg Pain DVD Set. This ‘Spinal Engine’ series is based on the ground-breaking research developed by my good friend Serge Gracovetsky. His discovery that the spine is the engine driving the legs has dramatically altered my view of body movement during the walking cycle.

Myoskeletal Alignment is a respected multi-modality pain management system designed to alleviate reflex muscle guarding caused by joint blockage. This is accomplished through restoration of proper neural, myofascial and skeletal function. The myoskeletal goal is to establish pain-free movement during the walking cycle.