Affirmation and Your Posture

Affirmation, the process of making the words you use to describe your life tangible in the material world, has a significant impact on your health. In other articles, we've discussed the different choices a person might make from a world of "Why not?" versus from "Why bother?" This time, we'll explore how language creates the shape of your physical body.

As a structural bodyworker, this little puzzle compelled me to learn more about how energy and health go together. I am admittedly rather obsessed with posture! Why? Because I want to know what makes you hurt! In evaluating different pain patients over the years, I became extremely curious about the cause and effect of posture.

Problem posture is a primary cause for any number of common pain patterns, like back pain, neck pain, and chronic headaches to name just a few. Realizing that a person doesn't just wake up one morning *bing* with problem posture, I started to inquire about how it comes about. Sometimes, of course, the process begins with physical trauma such as an accident.

Other times, no such explanation can be found. The problem posture seemingly "just happens." Exploring further, it quickly became obvious that a person's habitual frame of mind has a lot to do with the position of their body in space. This is where the affirmation comes in.

Affirmation is the process of "making firm." You are probably already aware of a human phenomenon we sometimes call "that little voice in the back of your head." It entertains you constantly with a recital of thoughts, beliefs, and ideas. Unless you do something to influence it, that recital becomes a continuous flow that creates your experience here. It also creates your posture.

• "Why do they keep doing this to me?" turns into protection of your solar plexus (right below the ribs in the middle of your abdomen), caved chest, and a forward head posture. You'll most likely have headaches, neck pain, upper back pain, and you just might hurt all over.
• "Oh no. This is gonna go my way!" creates the opposite pattern. Too much lumbar curve (your low back), very straight upper back, and a loss of curve in the neck. You will most likely have lower back pain. If it's combined with any kind of a twisting pattern, you'll very likely become a candidate for back surgery, because you will have worn out your L4 / L5 disc prematurely. You may have some neck issues, and your upper back will hurt, too.
• Lead with your chin?
• Habitual pleaser who can't make up your own mind?

There is a common inner language for any number of excessive personality traits. This inner language creates a particular state of mind in the speaker. Whether that person believes he needs to shield against a never-ending onslaught of bullies or be perpetually ready to stand up and fight, the body will make itself ready to respond.

Muscles are the agents of this system. If your mind tells you, "Here it comes! You're about to be attacked and there's no way out!" then your abdomen and chest muscles will reflexively contract to protect your solar plexus, just like a boxer protecting himself from a disabling punch.

If your mind tells you, "This guy is not gonna pull one over on you today. What does he think you are, stupid?" then your chest will puff out and your lower back tighten as you prepare to hold your ground, no matter what the cost.

Muscles create the motion. If they do it frequently and repetitively, as they surely will, your bones will begin to change shape in an effort to make the position easier to maintain. Unfortunately, making a dysfunctional pattern easy to maintain isn't really doing you a great favor. By the time you develop a chronic pain pattern, things will be very well entrenched.

But ... there is a way out. You have a secret weapon. Affirmation.

Chances are if you do develop a chronic pain problem, you'll visit some kind of practitioner for help with it. A chiropractor, perhaps, or a physical therapist, massage therapist, or a member of one of the medical specialties that deals with pain. They'll suggest strategies to help you with the physical symptoms. A series of adjustments, mechanical changes, injections, medicines, or perhaps even surgery.

None is likely to suggest that you explore your habitual state of being. Hopefully by now you understand its effect on the situation. So, no big deal. You can create a positive affirmation yourself. Here's how:

1. Notice the common language your own "little voice" uses to describe your life.
2. If it's not healthy and balanced, then create an opposite statement. For example, if you repetitively hear something like "I'm just filling space here," change it up to "I make a real difference to the people around me." Your statement should, when fulfilled, create the world as you want it.
3. As you hear your mind mechanically reciting the "old" statement, replace it with the new one. It really is that simple.

Your posture may not completely transform overnight. However the other therapies that you engage in will be more likely to work. Their effects will last longer. Your body will begin to flow with, rather than resist, the desired change. And you'll find yourself feeling much better.

Elizabeth Eckert coaxes, cajoles, and gently guides the creation of healing intent. She's the founder of http://www.wordcures.com and author of Word Cures: How to Keep Stupid Excuses From Sabotaging Your Health. Align your whole self for health ... starting today! Share "Arielle's" real-life story: The power of positive healing intention.

Power Of Positive Thinking