How to Improve Your Posture
Bottom Line:
When discussing posture, we’re often referring to the overall position of your body as you stand, sit, or lie down. Posture can also be the dynamic position you place your body in as you move between position.
Most experts would agree that a "good" overall posture involves physical positions that reduce stress on the body by balancing the load placed on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Taking stress off of certain structures require many parts to play their “role”.
When looking in the mirror have you noticed your posture not looking as balanced as you’d like? Is your head sticking out in front of your shoulders? Noticing a small “hump” forming at the base of your neck?
Chances are many of you have, and many of you most likely also thought how can I improve this body positioning.
Why it Matters:
One of the best ways to improve your posture is through motion. All the body parts previously mentioned rely heavily on motion as a means of staying out of pain and functioning properly.
Changing positions frequently during the day, stretching, and specific postural exercises are all ways to improve your posture.
Good posture helps you keep your bones and joints in proper alignment, which helps reduce the wear and tear on your joints and decrease the strain on the ligaments and muscles that support your spine.
Also, they don’t just support your spine, but also that big round thing that rests at the very top.
Here are some key takeaways:
· Good posture means keeping your spinal curves aligned and weight evenly distributed.
(click the link to view proper spinal curves https://medlineplus.gov/ency/imagepages/19463.htm )
· Stretches and exercises can help improve your posture and reduce your risk of neck and back pain.
(Follow our Instagram for stretches and exercises https://www.instagram.com/promovechiroperformance/ )
· Standing desks have been shown to reduce back pain by over 30% when compared to sitting at a desk.
Next Steps:
When creating a plan to improve your posture, remember that stretching and exercising are essential. Also remember each person’s body is different and may benefit from doing different stretches than the next person. This too is very customized to your body and the demands you place on it.
Equally important is knowing where to start. For us that’s a no-brainer!!
START AT PROMOVE!
Our postural and movement assessments can help you determine the best strategy to help balance and improve your posture, especially if you’ve been living with pain.
It all starts with a phone call. We’re standing by and ready to help!
Dalton Sealey DC, CSCS
ProMove Chiropractic & Performance
402.915.4901
drsealey@promovechiropractic.com
Science Source(s):
Back Health and Posture. Cleveland Clinic. 2020.
Breaking up Workplace Sitting Time. Occup Environ Med. 2014.