Motion: The Body is Made to Move -  1st Posture Principle

This very cool new study* looked at how motion affects discs, taking aim at the idea that rotational spinal motion is intrinsically bad.  Researchers demonstrated that some rotational motion is good...but too much overloads tissue.

Bovine IVDs and vertebral endplates were removed and attached to a testing machine, which twisted the discs for an hour a day, for 4 days. Different amounts of rotation and a control were the variables, and they tested for cell viability, metabolic activity, gene expression, glycosaminoglycan content and histological evaluation.

The Results:
"significantly higher cell viability was found in the inner annulus of the 2 degrees torsion group than in the static control group. "

The Conclusion:
"The IVD can tolerate short-term repetitive cyclic torsion, as tested in this study. A small angle of cyclic torsion can be beneficial to the IVD in organ culture, possibly by improving nutrition and waste exchange, whereas large torsion angle may cause damage to disc in the long term."

StrongPosture™ Exercise Application:
CatBall stretch, progressing with StrongPosture™and motion focus to rotation and lateral crescent (see Stand Taller~Live Longer, An Anti-Aging Strategy)