We all know posture and injuries can throw our spine out of alignment, but emerging evidence suggests that hidden chemical exposures - think endocrine disruptors and other toxins - may also be major players in misalignment issues in the spine.
At The Natural Bedding Company, we’re fully aware of the relationship between good sleep and spinal health, and we work with chiropractors and health professionals to ensure our mattresses and pillows promote maximum spinal alignment and well-being.
Off the back of this year’s Spinal Health week, with a focus on Tension Neck Syndrome - also known as ‘tech neck’ - we took a closer look at what it means to have a healthy spine and supportive habits.
Consider this your go-to guide to keeping your spine in top shape - from bed and beyond.
Why should we take spinal health seriously?
When our spine is in good health, we often take it for granted. It’s only when we feel a twinge, an ache, or an injury that we pay more attention to our spine and what influences it.
Something that’s not a common conversation topic is spinal subluxations, also known as a misalignment or dysfunction of the vertebrae. Spinal subluxations occur when one or more vertebrae move out of alignment, disrupting nerve pathways and affecting the central nervous system and overall health.
While physical trauma and posture are well-known culprits, toxins are increasingly being recognised as significant contributors. Toxins like flame retardants, phthalates, BPA, and pesticides - things commonly found in mattresses and bedding that aren’t low tox - interfere with normal endocrine function, activating the body's stress response. Your nervous system responds to these ‘chemical traumas’ just like physical injury, triggering muscle tension and reflexive spinal misalignments.
The “Three T’s”: thoughts, trauma - and toxins
Chiropractic pioneer D.D. Palmer identified thoughts, trauma, and toxins as the three primary causes of spinal subluxations. Modern research confirms toxins disrupt our endocrine balance and elevate stress pathways, which in turn tightens muscles and shifts vertebrae out of alignment - AKA an unhappy spine!
Chronic exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals has been shown to impact our nervous system function, metabolism, reproductive health, and more - all of which leaves us more vulnerable to spinal subluxations.
Looking at toxins specifically - a key factor we can control with our choice of bedding and environment - is one surefire way to maximise long-term spinal health. When your nervous system is placed in constant presence of toxins and stress, it enters a protective ‘fight or flight’ state. This is a built-in survival response, but getting stuck in this heightened state for long periods at a time can lead to chronic muscle tension - especially in the neck and shoulders.
Pair this with today’s alarming ‘tech neck’ issue, as a result of spending extended periods looking down at our smartphones, tablets, and computers, and you’ve got a recipe for very stiff and misaligned spines.
These tight muscles pull on spinal joints unevenly, shifting vertebrae and causing misalignments that interfere with nerve signaling and can affect breathing, digestion, and even balance. But don’t worry, because there’s a range of ways you can take back control of your spine’s well-being…
How to reduce toxin-driven spinal subluxations
In order to reduce toxin exposure and protect your spinal health, consider these low tox approaches.
Detoxify your sleep space
Switch to non-toxic mattresses and bedding - like our natural latex mattresses and pillows, organic cotton sheets, and wool quilts - to minimise exposure to flame retardants, VOCs, and synthetic chemicals while you sleep. Our natural materials don’t off-gas or wreak havoc on your hormonal health or sleep quality, allowing you to fully rest and repair with quality sleep.
Choose clean home furnishings
Opt for low-VOC or zero-VOC finishes on furniture and walls. For example, with our own natural wooden bed frames and side tables, we use plant-based stains and water-based sealers, helping prevent chemical stress on your nervous system.
Eat phyto-protective foods
Foods high in sulforaphane - like broccoli sprouts,, kale and brussel sprouts - help support the body’s natural detox pathways for microplastics and toxins. Giving new meaning to ‘eating your greens’, adding these foods to your diet will result in a less burdened endocrine system and a less reactive nervous system.
Support your nervous system’s recovery
Regular chiropractic check-ins aid in identifying early spinal subluxations and resetting the nervous system’s full function. Practices like yoga nidra, guided meditation, and controlled breathing can relax the body’s protective state, reducing muscle tension that can lead to misalignments.
It also helps to identify the main causes of your stress that you can minimise, address or offload in order to give your body a chance to find more calm and relaxation.
Taking steps beyond the bedroom
Lowering your toxins in your sleep environment and regulating your nervous system for less stress are big players in the game of good sleep. But you can also support your spinal health - and ramp up the effects of a low tox lifestyle - with a few other hacks too.
Specifically looking at ‘tech neck’, this constant forward head posture places undue strain on the neck and upper back muscles. According to the Mayo Clinic, bending your head forward at a 45-degree angle to look at a device can increase the pressure on your neck muscles - much more than our heads and necks were designed for.
If we want to make our efforts to improve spinal support worth it, then we have to address ‘tech neck’ and postural habits too. Here’s a few extra tips…
Adjust your screen height
Suss out where your computer monitor or laptop screen sits - and adjust it so that the top of the screen is at or slightly below eye level. This encourages a neutral neck position and reduces the tendency to lean forward. Unfortunately, yes - this means no sitting on the couch with your computer in your lap!
Pivot your posture
Aim to sit with your back straight and shoulders relaxed, visualising your shoulder blades gliding downward rather than hunching up and forward. When seated at your desk, find a chair height that lets you keep your feet flat on the floor (or get a foot stool to bridge the gap) and keep your elbows at a 90-degree angle. This posture supports the natural curve of your spine and minimises strain.
Give your neck and shoulders a workout
While people joke not to skip ‘leg day’ at the gym, experts also recommend engaging in exercises that strengthen your neck, shoulders, and upper back muscles to better support your posture and spine.
Strengthening these areas can reduce the risk of developing tech neck, while also giving your sleep and mattress setup a better chance at repairing the body as you rest. Think yoga stretches, upper back reps like rowing, spinal twists, and more.
Don’t neglect the importance of your sleep environment
A supportive mattress and pillow play a crucial role in maintaining spinal alignment during sleep. Opting for a mattress that provides adequate support can help reduce the strain on your neck and back, promoting better posture and alleviating discomfort.
We’re big advocates of choosing a pillow that supports the natural curve of your neck to prevent stiffness and pain. These are the natural pillows we - and our customers - swear by to ensure ultimate spinal and neck support.
At The Natural Bedding Company, we also collaborate closely with chiropractors and health professionals from the IN8 Summit to level up our commitment to quality spinal health. By integrating their insights into our mattress and pillow design, we ensure that our products meet the highest standards of spinal support and comfort.
Our mattresses feature:
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7-zone support system: low tox mattresses tailored to the body's natural spinal curvature, ensuring each part receives appropriate support.
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High-density natural latex core: our use of latex is not by accident - this material is known for its durability and responsiveness, maintaining its shape over time and not compromising the support of your spine.
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Supportive hardwood slatted bases: allowing optimal air circulation and providing a stable foundation for your mattress, you can guarantee our low tox bedding and furniture will stay in top shape for many years to come.
A healthier spine, naturally…
Spinal health isn’t just about perfect posture or avoiding injury; it’s also about creating an environment - and inner state - that supports neurological balance. Toxins are an invisible threat, and when left unchecked, they can become a major contributor to spinal subluxations. The good news? You have control.
By reducing chemical exposure, choosing natural bedding, low-VOC furnishings, and releasing chronic muscle tension and stress, you’re giving your spine - and your entire nervous system - a better chance to stay aligned and resilient.
