Introduction
Lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Neck pain is the fourth. Eighty percent of all people will experience spinal pain at some point in their life. Half of the population is experiencing spinal pain at this moment. In spite of the ubiquitous nature of this condition, and the enormous cost that it has on our society, very little is known about its cause. People who seek care will often receive conflicting diagnoses and treatment recommendations. Many will give up and blame old age or arthritis for their condition and simply live with their pain. This is both unfortunate and unnecessary. The answer is simple; it is based upon the law of gravity.
A straight spine is a healthy spine. A crooked spine is not.
This is a healthy spine. The spine is straight and resting on a level pelvis. The shoulders are balanced. The leg lengths are equal. The muscles which support the spine against gravity are balanced and relatively relaxed. This is the optimal position for upright, static posture. It is also the best starting position for motion.
This is a misaligned spine. The spine is curved. The pelvis is tilted and torqued. One shoulder hangs low. One leg appears short. The muscles that support the spine are imbalanced and tighter on one side.