Reference:
Hyperkyphotic Posture Predicts Mortality in Older Community-Dwelling Men and Women: A Prospective Study
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
From: Volume 52 Issue 10, October 2004, Page 1662
Deborah M. Kado, MD; Ms. Mei-Hua Huang; DrPH; Arun S. Karlamangla, MD, PhD; Elizabeth Barrett-Connor, MD and Gail A. Greendale, MD.
Key Points from Dan Murphy
1. This study shows that hyperkyphosis is not primarily caused by osteoporosis.
2. Hyperkyphotic posture is more common in men than women (44% in men, 22% of women).
3. Hyperkyphosis is frequently observed in older persons.
4. In the study, persons with even slight hyperkyphosis had a 1.44 times greater rate of mortality than those without hyperkyphotic posture.
5. Hyperkyphosis is significantly associated with deaths due to atherosclerosis.
6. Hyperkyphosis increased deaths due to atherosclerosis by 2.4 times.
7. In these seniors, the greater the hyperkyphotic posture, the greater the rates of death.
8. The hyperkyphotic posture reflects an increased rate of physiological aging. [Very Important]
9. Atherosclerosis and hyperkyphosis have a common underlying pathology. My explanation is: Hyperkyphosis alters the mechanical inhibition of the thoracic sympathetic nervous system, increasing sympathetic traffic, which contributes to atherosclerosis.
10. Hyperkyphotic posture predicts increased mortality.
11.Interventions specifically targeted at improving hyperkyphotic posture could result in reduced mortality rates.” [Very Important]
This article is extremely important because it supports the concept of the “silent subluxation” (postural distortions) being related to visceral pathology. Specifically, in this article, the visceral pathology is death from atherosclerotic disease.
A 1978 graduate of Western States Chiropractic College, Dr. Dan Murphy is on the faculty of Life Chiropractic College West, and is the Vice President of the International Chiropractic Association. For more information, visit http://www.danmurphydc.com.